PRINCETON.  N.  J. 

1 

Library  of  Dr.  A.  A.  Eod^e. 

Presented. 

/?~«..B.X.2.4:..1..?3 

SecHo,^:.iSj33.  

/dumber  

>v  


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/historyoforiginoOObowe 


HISTORY  OF  THE  ORIGIN 


OF 


THE  FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


BY  REV.  ELIAS  BOWEN,  D.D. 


ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 

PUBLISHKD    BY    B.    T.  ROBERTS. 
1871. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  m  tde  year  1871, 

BY  BENJAMIN  T.  ROBERTS, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


C01:^TEE"TS. 


Sketch  of  tlio  Life  of  Rev.  E.  Bo  wen,  D.  D.  Engraving  of  Rev.  E. 
Bowen.    Pages  3-8. 

Preface.    Pages  9-13. 

CHAPTER  I. 
Denominations  Proper.    True  Unity.    Pages  13-17. 

CHAPTER  II. 

Sketch  of  the  History  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Declension.  Pages  18-23. 
CHAPTER  III. 

Defection  in  Doctrine  and  Practice.  Semi-Centennial  Sermon.  Pa- 
ges 24-40. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Christ' s  Kingdom  Spiritual.  Odd  Fellows  and  Masons.  Pamph- 
let hy  Rev.  CD.  Burlingham.  War  threatened — begun.  Charg- 
es and  Specifications.  Clinnge  of  Venue  asked  for — but  refused. 
Committee  asked  for — but  refused.  Secret  Meetings.  Testimo- 
ny of  Rev.  John  Bowman  impeached.    Pages  40-56. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Pleas  of  Rev.  L.  Stiles.  Closing  plea  of  Re.v.  B.  T.  Roberts.  Ver- 
dict.   Pages  57-105. 


2 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Review  of  the  Trials,  Trials  a  sliam.  Offences  charged, 
trifling  if  true — Not  true.  Exjjulsion  of  Revs.  Messrs  Stiles, 
Cooley,  Wells,  and  Burlingliani.  Preaching  in  another  Parish. 
Law  making  power  usuri)ed.  Victims  hunted.  Free  Press  pro- 
scribed. Decision  of  the  Bishop.  Right  of  private  judgment 
surrendered.    Pages  100-131. 

CHAPTER  Vn. 

Persecutions.  Reign  of  terror.  Buffalo  Advocate  on  state  of  re- 
ligion. Rev,  Mr.  Hart's  review.  Hosmer's  review  of  Minutes  of 
Gcncsco  Coiifcrciirc,  Sad  decline  confessed.  Worse  than  al- 
leged in  ••  New  Srliool  Methodism."  Outrages  at  Cayuga  Creek. 
Methiidists  hund-cufl'ed  and  sent  to  jail  on  tlie  Sal)l>;ith.  Church 
guarded  l>y  men  and  dogs.  Mockei-y  "f  a  tiia],  Sryiiiiiui'  -I.  No- 
ble guillotined.   James  H.Brooks.   Dewey  Telft.   Pages  1o2-1j4. 

CHAPTER  Vni. 

Lay  Conventions.  One  at  Albion.  Members.  Report.  Grievances. 
Innocent  condemned.  Guilty  screened.  Withholding  supplies. 
Authorities  quoted.  Stevens,  Emory,  Bond.  l!esoliitions  adop- 
ted. Speeches,  G.  W.  Estcs,  T.  B.  Catton,  W.  Par.Kons,  Bro's 
Jones  and  Jcfl'rrs.  Ylry.  ]',.  I.  Iv,',s.  Conv, nli.m  at  Ol.-an.  OflS- 
cers.  Petitions  to  ( iciicial  ( '(intncncr.  'J'hc  K^nm  s!  Cliristian. 
Preamble  and  resolutions.  Sl)ceches  by  Rev.  J.  McCreery,  S.  K. 
J.  Chesbrough,  T.  B.  Catton,  Wm.  Hart,  J.  W.  Rcddy,  and  others. 
Pages  155-195. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

No  di^siiiii  to  li'nvc  the  M.  E.  Church.  IMcmorial  to  the  General 
Ccnfcrciirc.  ('(iiiiiilniiits  nf  tlic  action  of  tli^  (ienesee  Confer- 
(;nce.  Pastoral  addrt.'ss.  Ant iM i'tli()(!ist ic  in  doctrine.  Frater- 
nizing with  Unitarians  and  Ciii vrvsulists.  New  terms  of  mem- 
bership.   Expulsions  for  attending  Laymen's  Convention.  Strike 


CONTEXTS. 


3 


threatened.  Secret  meetings.  Immorality  covered  up.  Slan- 
ders.   Pages  196-315. 

CHAPTER  X. 

General  Conference.  Secret  society  and  pro-slavery  men  unite. 
Court  of  Appeals — strange  decision.  Case  of  Kcv.  E.  oiirliiig- 
liam.  Packed  committee.  Constitution  violated.  Appral  not  en- 
tertained.   Pages  21G-228. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Free  Methodist  Church  organized.    Pages  239-235. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Discipline  adopted.  Doctrine.  Government  not  aristocratic.  Creed. 
Tsvo  new  articles.    Pages  3:i6-314. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Rules  and  Regulations.  Free  seats.  Gospel  to  the  poor.  Dr.  Olin. 
Instrumental  music.    Dress.    Pages  24o-30o. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Receiving  members  into  the  Church.  Questions.  Secret  Societies. 
Maso)ary.    Pages  2()G-374. 

CHAPTER  XV 

Government.  Lay  delegations.  Superintendents.  Chairmen  of  Dis- 
tricts.   Stationing  committee.    Pages  375-383. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 


Scriptural  organization.    Ritual.    Pages  284-288. 


4 


CONTEJ«TS. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Education.    Seminary  founded.    Magazine.    Paper.    Necessity  of 
organization.    Succession.    Pages  289-300. 

APPENDIX. 
New  School  Methodism.    Pages  301-310. 

Engraving  of  Dr.  Redfield.    Sketch  of  his  life.    Pages  311-324. 
Engraving  of  Wm.  C.  Kendall.    Sketch  of  his  life.    Pages  325-333. 
Engraving  of  Rev.  L.  Stiles.    Sketch  of  liis  life.    Pages  334-344. 
Engraving  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts.    Sketch.  345-350. 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


BY  REV.  B.  T.  ROBERTS. 


Elias  Bowen,  D.  D.  author  of  the  following  work,  has  been  too 
long,  and  too  favorably  known  to  need  any  commendation  at  our 
hands.  For  over  half  a  century  he  has  labored,  as  an  able  and  faith- 
ful preacher  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  which  he  is  still 
a  minister.  He  is  one  of  the  few  who  have  not  compromised  to  suit 
the  worldly  tendencies  of  the  age.  He  has  not  grown  proud  and 
fbrmal,  because  the  Church  has  become  rich  and  popular.  He  has 
not  changed  his  doctrines  because  the  times  have  changed.  AU 
along  he  has  borne  an  uneqxuvocal  testimony  against  sin  in  the 
church,  as  well  as  outside  its  pale.  In  his  fidelity  in  reproving,  by 
pen  and  tongue,  the  departure  from  the  primitive  spirit  of  Method 
ism,  80  painfully  apparent  in  his  church,  he  reminds  us  of  one  of  the 
old  prophets.    We  love  to  sit  at  the  feet  of  such  a  man. 

The  following  autobiographical  sketch  we  copy  from  the  Northern 
Independent  of  Oct.  26th,  1865  : 

"The  fifth  year  of  my  ministry,  being  told  by  one  of  the  Presi- 
ding Eiders  that  I  was  set  down  for  the  Montreal  Mission,  Lower 
Canada,  I  went  to  the  Bishop,  al'ter  failing  in  my  expostulations  with 
the  Elder,  and  told  him  I  wts  not  qualified  for  so  responsible  a  sta- 
tion, and  begged  of  him  to  give  me  an  appointment  of  less  impor- 
tance. I  was  sent  to  the  mission,  however,  but  at  my  very  earnest  re- 
quest was  let  off  after  one  year,  and  returned  to  the  States. 

"  The  next  year  I  was  stationed  at  Utica,  no  intimation  having 
been  given  me  of  my  appointment  till  it  was  read  off  in  the  Confer- 
ence. Here  the  weight  of  my  responsibilities  pressed  so  heavily  up- 
on me  that  I  entreated  for  a  lighter  charge,  the  station  unanimously 
petitioning  the  Presiding  Elder,  as  he  told  me,  for  my  re-appointment. 
The  authorities  yielding  to  iny  solicitations,  I  web  placed  on  a  little 


iv.  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

twp-weeks'  circuit ;  but  Utica  being  dissatisfied  with  their  preacher, 
sent  for  the  Presiding  Elder  and  insisted  on  my  return.  I  was  ac- 
cordingly sent  back  to  them  after  an  absence  of  only  five  weeks,  and 
remained  another  year. 

"  During  the  year,  two  Presiding  Elders  renewed  the  proposition, 
which  they  had  made  to  me  the  year  before,  to  take  a  District ;  but 
in  both  instances,  being  assured  of  the  great  reluctance  I  felt,  on  ac- 
count of  an  unconquerable  self-difi&dence,  to  preside  over  brethren  in 
the  ministry  much  older  than  myself,  they  agreed  to  have  me  ex- 
cused. But  at  the  next  Conference,  they  had  my  name  placed  upon 
a  District  without  consulting  me  ;  intending  to  take  me  by  surprise, 
and  forestall  any  objection  on  my  part,  by  reading  out  the  appoint 
ment  before  I  knew  anything  about  it.  It  so  happened,  however, 
that  their  project  was  made  known  to  me  by  a  singular  incident 
about  two  hours  before  the  Conference  rose  ;  and,  failing  to  prevail 
on  my  Presiding  Elder  to  let  me  off,  I  addressed  a  note  to  the  Bishop, 
to  the  effect  that  they  must  change  my  name  to  some  other  charge, 
or  give  me  a  location,  for  I  could  not  possibly  serve  a  District.  Up- 
on this,  the  Bishop  and  covmcil  retired  a  few  minutes,  leaving  a  sub- 
stitute in  the  chair,  and  changed  me  to  another  charge.  For  this 
absolute  refusal  to  take  the  work  assigned  me  by  the  appointing 
power,  however,  I  had  suflBcient  cause  of  regret ;  for  God  cursed  me 
in  my  appointments,  good  though  they  were  in  themselves,  just  four 
years — the  precise  term  I  should  have  been  on  the  District,  had  I 
submitted,  as  I  had  promised  to  do  at  my  ordination,  "  to  the  powers 
that  be,"  and  I  never  repeated  the  offence.  Always  afterwards,  if  I  could 
not  persuade  them  to  excuse  me  from  responsible  situations — which 
I  often  tried  to  do,  particularly  the  last  time  I  was  sent  to  the  Ithaca 
station — I  entered  upon  them,  though  "with  much  trembling,"  and 
filled  them  as  well  as  I  could. 

"  The  records  of  the  church  will  show  that  I  have  represented  my 
Conference,  in  connection  with  other  Delegates,  in  seven  General 
Conferences  of  the  church,  and  I  am  bold  to  say  that  I  never  attended 
a  caucus,  or  used  any  other  means  whatever  to  procure  an  election  to 
that  body.  My  name  was  placed  upon  a  ticket  for  General  Confer- 
ence for  the  first  time  in  1828,  and  I  doubtless  should  have  gone  had 
I  not  declined  to  run  ;  as  the  entire  ticket,  from  which  I  had  prevailed 
upon  them  to  erase  my  name,  was  elected  by  a  large  majority.  I  felt 
I  was  quite  too  young  and  inexperienced  to  appear  in  the  law-making 
department  of  the  church,  and  hence  my  refusal  to  consent  to  be  a 
candidate.    At  one  of  our  Elective  Conferences,  I  was  assured  by  » 


SKETCH  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR.  V, 

particular  friend — a  member  of  the  Conference — who  came  running 
to  my  room,  almost  out  of  breath,  that  a  combination  had  been 
formed  among  the  preachers  to  exclude  me  from  the  number  of  Del- 
egates to  the  General  Conference  ;  and  unless  I  attended  to  it  im- 
mediately, I  should  fail  of  an  election.  I  told  him  I  should  take  no 
interest  in  the  matter.  If  elected,  I  should  look  upon  it  as  a  Provi- 
dential ordering,  and  try  to  fulfil  the  trust  confided  to  me  ;  but  my 
preference  was,  if  it  should  please  the  Lord,  to  stay  at  home.  I  was 
elected,  however,  and  went  to  the  General  Conference,  without  either- 
seeking  or  desiring  it. 

"  In  1840,  the  Book  Agent  pressed  me  to  be  a  candidate  for  the 
editorial  chair  of  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  telling  me 
that  the  leading  members  of  the  General  Conference,  then  in  session, 
were  favorable  to  it,  and  he  was  satisfied  I  might  be  elected  to  that 
post  without  much  opposition.  But,  as  usual,  I  shrunk  from  official 
responsibility,  and  persuaded  him  to  give  it  all  up.  Very  likely  I 
should  have  failed  of  an  election,  had  I  consented  to  run  for  the  of- 
fice, but  if  I  had  desired  it,  I  certainly  should  have  been  willing — 
nay,  anxious — with  the  encouragement  so  liberally  held  out  to  me, 
to  hazard  the  result  of  a  trial. 

"  At  the  General  Conference  of  1844,  being  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  Book  Concern,  and  chiefly  instrumental  in  procuring 
the  adoption  of  the  old  Auburn  Banner,  (I  have  forgotten  the  name 
it  then  bore,)  as  a  General  Conference  paper,  I  was  afforded  another 
opportunity,  if  the  following  circumstances  may  be  regarded  as  evi- 
dence of  the  fact,  of  becoming  a  church  editor.  A  committee  of 
three,  of  which  I  was  one,  were  appointed  by  the  Delegations  of 
three  patronizing  Conferences  respectively,  to  nominate  an  editor  for 
the  new  paper  thus  adopted.  The  other  two  at  once  proposed  to  put 
me  in  nomination  for  the  ofiice,  it  being  understood  that  the  General 
Conference  were  prepared  to  elect  whomsoever  these  Conferences 
should  designate  for  that  purpose.  Here,  again,  my  remonstrance 
against  being  promoted  to  office  being  yielded  to,  we  nominated  Rev. 
N .  Rounds  at  my  instance,  and  he  was  accordingly  elected. 

"  But  though  I  might  swell  the  list  of  instances  almost  indefinitely 
in  which  I  have  declined  proffered  honors  during  my  career  in  the 
ministry,  I  shall  mention  but  one  more.  At  the  General  Conference 
of  1853,  several  of  my  Delegation  took  it  upon  them,  day  after  day, 
for  some  little  time,  as  opportunity  offered,  to  mention  my  name  in 
connection  with  the  Episcopacy  ;  often  remarking,  in  the  way  of  mere 
pleasantry,  as  I  supposed,  that  they  were  going  to  make  me  Bishop. 


vi.  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  AtTTHOB. 

At  length,  perceiving  that  I  looked  upon  it  as  a  matter  of  amusement 
merely,  they  assured  me  that  they  were  in  sober  earnest,  and  had 
very  little  doubt  of  carrying  their  point.  Upon  this,  I  told  them 
plainly  that  I  did  not  want  the  ofBce,  and  was  satisfied  that  I  could 
not  be  elected  if  I  did.  But  having  been  consulted  by  members  of 
the  Delegations  from  eight  or  ten  other  Conferences  upon  the  sub- 
ject afterwards,  and  told  that  they  were  all  prepared  to  go  for  me,  I 
felt  that  matters  were  taking  on  somewhat  of  a  serious  form,  and  it 
was  possible  I  might  be  elected  after  all.  I  then  begged  of  the 
brethren  to  abandon  the  remotest  thought  of  any  such  thing,  as  I 
certainly  was  not  qualified  for  the  place,  and  could  not  consent  to  be 
a  candidate  any  way.  Now,  whether  the  brethren  were  sincere  in 
proposing  to  put  me  in  nomination  for  the  Episcopacy,  or  not,  or 
whether  I  should  have  been  elected  to  that  office  if  nominated,  is 
nothing  to  the  question  in  hand  ;  it  is  enough  for  my  present  pvir 
pose  that  I  at  least  took  them  to  be  in  earnest,  meaning  what  they 
said,  and  that  fearing  I  should  be  elected  if  my  name  were  allowed 
to  run,  I  shrunk  from  the  possibility  of  an  election,  and  prevailed 
on  them  to  drop  my  name  altogether. 

"  I  am  aware  of  the  declarations  of  Paul, '  If  a  man  desire  the 
office  of  a  Bishop,  he  desireth  a  good  work ; '  but  not  to  suy  that 
Bishop  here  means  nothing  else  than  presbyter  or  minister  of  the 
gospel,  I  never  desired  even  that  in  the  sense  of  seeking  it,  for  I 
was  licensed  to  preach,  received  into  the  Conference,  aud  appointed 
to  a  circuit,  without  the  slightest  application  to  tha  t  eflPect  on  my 
own  part.  And  I  have  always  '  labored  as  a  son  in  the  gospel,'  going 
where  I  was  sent,  with  one  solitary  exception,  as  above  noticed,  hav- 
ing never  asked  the  first  favor  in  regard  to  my  appointment,  as  all 
the  Bishops  and  Presiding  Elders  under  whom  I  have  taken  work 
will  bear  me  witness.  I  did,  to  be  sure,  once  ask  my  Delegation  to 
put  me  on  a  certain  committee  at  General  Conference  ;  not  that  on 
Episcopacy,  upon  which  I  had  already  been  placed,  as  usual  ;  but 
one  of  less  dignity  ;  and  I  asked  it  on  account  of  the  great  interest 
I  felt  in  the  business  that  was  to  come  before  it.  But  I  have  always 
been  sorry  I  did,  both  because  it  was  out  of  keeping  with  my  long- 
cherished  principles  and  habits,  and  because  of  the  jealousy  it  obvi- 
ously excited  in  the  minds  of  two  or  three  of  my  co-delegates,  who 
have  scarcely  overlooked  it  in  me,  as  I  have  reason  to  think,  to  the 
preseflt  day. 

"  And  now,  let  me  say  to  my  detractors,  '  If  I  am  become  a  fool  in 
glorying,  ye  have  compelled  me :  for  I  ought  to  have  been  com- 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR.  vii. 

mended  of  you,'  (rather  than  traduced,)  especially  for  the  fidelity 
with  which  I  have  '  told  you  your  faults.'  I  ask  no  commendation 
at  your  hands,  however ;  either  for  reproving  you  as  in  duty  bound, 
when  you  go  astray,  or  for  leaving  my  appointments,  where  I  and 
everj'^  other  Methodist  preacher  have  promised,  as  upon  oath,  to  leave 
them,  in  the  hands  of  the  authorities  of  the  church.  Nor  can  I  en- 
tertain much  respect  for  those  self  seekers  among  us  who  are  forever 
tampering  with  the  Bishop  and  Presiding  Elders  about  their  ap- 
pointments—forever wire-pulling  for  place,  or  promotion  in  some 
way,  in  palpable  violation  of  their  ordination  vows.  I  would  by  no 
means  intimate  that  all  Methodist  preachers  are  guilty  of  this  mis- 
erable practice.  There  are  many  honorable  exceptions,  or  used  to  be ; 
and  it  is  with  great  satisfaction  I  am  able  to  call  up  a  goodly  num- 
ber, even  of  modern  date,  who  were  always  ready  to  go  where  they 
were  sent.  But  never  a  year  passed  during  the  twenty-four  years  I 
was  on  Districts,  when  I  was  not  harassed  almost  to  vexation  in  some 
instances,  with  the  incessant  teasings  of  place-seekers.  And  it  is 
this  class  chiefly— of  all  others  the  least  deserving  of  good  appoint- 
ments— who  now  impute  to  me  the  weak  ambition  of  aspiring  to 
office,  alleging,  as  a  cover  of  their  wickedness,  that  I  have  become 
soured  toward  the  church  for  overlooking  my  claims  to  posts  of  dis- 
tinction, and  that  this  accounts  for  the  great  dissatisfaction  I  have 
manifested  for  a  few  years  past  with  respect  to  their  administration 
and  behavior.  But  beside  the  besetment,  so  common  to  the  way- 
ward, of  attempting  to  clear  themselves  of  guilt  by  implicating  oth- 
ers, especially  the  witness  by  whose  testimony  they  have  been  proved 
guilty,  and  made  to  writhe  under  the  eye  of  public  opinion ;  the 
very  natural  rule  of  'judging  others  by  ourselves'  should  be  pleaded, 
perhaps,  in  extenuation  of  their  unchristian  conduct  in  thus  aspers- 
ing my  character,  since  they  seem  incapable  of  appreciating  any 
other  motives  of  action  than  those  by  which  they  themselves  are 
governed. 

"  But  though  men  of  this  description  will  still  find  some  pretext 
for  believing  what  they  evidently  want  to  be  true  in  respect  to  the 
cause  of  the  rebukes  I  have  felt  myself  called  upon  to  administer  to 
the  church,  the  great  body  of  the  faithful — preachers  and  people — 
will  give  all  due  weight  to  the  representation  I  herein  present  of  my 
own  course  and  character.  And  while  I  shall  consequently  be  looked 
upon,  as  heretofore,  with  an  eye  of  friendship  and  charity  by  the 
thousands  of  this  class  whom  I  have  known  and  loved,  the  cause  of 
God  and  of  Metliodism,  so  far  as  thej'  may  be  identified  with  my 


viii.  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

character  and  doings,  will  be  vindicated  from  an  unmanly  and  most 
damaging  aspersion.  Albeit,  though  I  ought  to  be  commended,  as 
aforesaid,  for  my  fidelity  to  the  true  interests  of  the  church,  the 
Oneida  Annual  Conference  especially,  whom  I  so  faithfully  admon- 
ished of  their  sin  and  danger  on  a  late  occasion,  still  I  ask  no  com- 
mendation, no  thanks  from  the  church,  for  occupying  my  appropriate 
place,  or  doing  what  she  rightfully  bids  me  do.  Still,  I  must  say, 
'  after  doing  all  that  is  commanded  me,  I  am  an  unprofitable  serraut, 
I  have  done  that  which  was  my  duty.' " 

ELIAS  BOWEN. 


PREFACE. 


"Methodism  is  a  creature  of  providence."  So  it  has 
long  been  regarded.  And  as  such,  God  has  ever  watched 
over  it  with  a  jealous  care;  impressing  upon  it  at  the 
eame  time  the  seal  of  his  Divine  approbation  and  paternity. 
The  origin,  gi-owth  and  achievements  of  this  peculiar  form 
of  Christianity,  are  such  as  to  leave  no  rational  doubt  of 
its  supernatural  character.  And  having  God  for  its  Au- 
thor and  Guardian,  it  can  never  be  overthrown ;  but  will 
continue  to  operate  and  prevail  in  the  earth,  through  in- 
strhmentalities  of  his  own  choosing,  until  its  Heaven-ap- 
pointed mission  shall  have  been  fully  accomplished  and 
there  is  nothing  more  for  it  to  do. 

As  a  pri?iciple,  or  system  of  truth  and  righteousness, 
Methodism  is  as  old  as  the  Christian  era,  being  identical 
with  the  gospel  itself;  but  as  a  system  of  rules  and  regu- 
lations for  the  carrying  out  of  the  great  purposes  of  the  gos» 
pel  scheme,  it  is  of  recent  date,  having  originated  with 
the  apostolic  Wesley  during  the  early  part  of  the  last  cen- 
tury. Taken  altogether,  as  it  came  from  the  hands  of  its 
immortal  Founder,  Methodism  is  none  other  than  "  Chris- 
tianity in  earnest ; "  being  now  what  it  ever  has  been,  and 
ever  will  be  to  the  end  of  time. 

It  does  not  follow,  however,  because  Methodism  is  al- 
ways the  same,  that,  therefore,  it  is  always  known  by  the 
ix. 


X, 


PREFACE. 


same  name,  or  is  always  found  with  the  same  denomina. 
tion  of  people.  Adaptation  is  an  essential  element  of  the 
system  ;  and  from  the  wonderful  facility  with  which  it  ac- 
commodates itself  to  time,  place,  and  circumstance,  it 
finds  no  difficulty  in  taking  on  a  new  name,  or  passing 
from  one  association  of  people  to  another,  whenever  there 
is  occasion  for  it,  or  the  offer  of  more  eligible  means  for 
the  accomplishment  of  its  legitimate  ends,  requires  such 
change.  As  the  mountain  turtle  casts  ofi"  its  old  shell, 
upon  occasion,  and  takes  on  a  new  covering  more  suitable 
to  the  purposes  of  its  being ;  and  as  the  rushing  stream, 
when  too  much  obstructed  in  its  course,  leaves  the  old 
channel  for  a  new  one,  where  it  can  pursue  its  ocean-bound 
career  with  more  freedom  ;  so  Methodism,  tied  up  and  em- 
barrassed in  its  soul-saving  operations  by  an  unscrupulous 
and  almost  universal  conformity  to  the  world  in  the  old 
church,  has  been  compelled,  in  order  to  fulfil  its  appropri- 
ate mission  of  "spreading  Scripture  holiness  over  the 
land,"  to  leave  its  accustomed  pulpits  and  altars,  so  terri- 
bly desecrated  latterly  by  worldliness  and  churchism,  and 
carry  on  its  work  through  the  newly  organized  medium 
of  the  Free  Methodist  Church. 

But,  though  Methodism  has  changed  its  home,  it  has  in 
no  wise  changed  either  its  character  or  its  mode  of  opera- 
tion. And  hence,  as  it  fled  to  the  Free  Methodists  to 
escape  the  trammels  of  worldly  associations,  a  time-serving 
policy,  and  the  soul-sickening  routine  of  a  lifeless  formal- 
ism it  could  no  longer  endure ;  so  will  it  in  like  manner 
abandon  them,  should  the  contingency  ever  arise,  when 
it  is  no  longer  permitted  to  operate  through  their  instru- 
mentality in  accordance  with  its  own  peculiar  principles 
and  purposes. 

It  was  a  fatal  mistake  with  the  Jews,  that  their  cove- 
nant relation  to  God  gave  them  a  sort  of  corporate  title 


PREFACE. 


to  be  regarded  and  treated  as  his  exclusive  people ;  and 
that  the  promissory  guarantees  of  the  covenant  were  ab- 
solute, securing  to  them  this  proud  distinction  in  perpetu- 
ity, or  rendering  it  inalienable  to  them  and  their  posterity 
forever.  They  persistently  repudiated  the  idea  that  the 
blessings  promised  in  the  covenant  which  God  had  made 
with  them  as  his  people  were  only  to  be  continued  to  them 
during  good  behavior  ;  and  hence,  when  he  announced  to 
them  that  they  should  pei'ish  in  the  wilderness  for  their 
idolatrous  and  wicked  rebellions  against  him,  and  never 
enter  the  land  of  Canaan  into  which  he  had  promised  to 
bring  them  at  the  time  they  came  out  of  Egypt,  they  ac- 
cused him  of  a  "  breach  of  promise."  But  alas  !  too  late 
they  awoke  to  the  perception  of  the  conditionality  of  the 
covenant  they  had  violated,  when  an  insulted  Heaven  pro- 
ceeding to  execute  its  awful  penalties  upon  them,  exclaimed, 
"  I'll  show  you  my  breach  of  promise  !  "  Some  other 
churches  also,  notwithstanding  "  these  things  happened 
unto  them  for  ensamples  and  are  written  for  our  admoni- 
tion," have  fallen  into  the  same  mistake;  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  (as  her  high  pretensions  to  piety  and 
prerogative,  and  her  notorious  backslidings  from  God  and 
Methodism  at  the  same  time,  sufficiently  show,)  scarcely 
furnishing  an  exception.  Nor  do  the  teachings  of  history, 
assuring  us  that  God  has  been  wont  to  leave  these  fallen 
churches,  one  after  another,  and  call  his  people  by  another 
natne,  seem  at  all  to  remind  her  of  her  own  impending  fate  ! 

But  as  there  is  nowhere  to  be  met  a  more  striking  illus- 
tration of  the  truth  of  our  cherished  maxim,  that  "  Metii- 
odism  is  a  creature  of  Providence,"  than  in  the  rise,  jiro- 
gress,  and  permanent  organization  of  the  Free  Methodist 
Church  lately  come  into  existence  ;  a  brief  history  of  the  rise 
of  this  new  denomination  of  Christians  cannot  be  unaccepta- 
ble to  those  witli  whom  an  all-i)ervading  Providence,  espe- 


xii.  PREFACE. 

cially  as  it  relates  to  the  cause  and  people  of  God,  is  a  prima- 
ry article  of  faith.  To  supply  this  desideratum  in  ecclesias- 
tical history,  and  magnify  the  grace  of  God  for  raising  up 
this  pilgrim  band  to  exemplify  and  carry  on  the  work  of 
holiness  among  men,  this  unpretending  work  is  now  ofiered 
to  the  public. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Denominational  Christianity  is  the  order  of  God. — 
Still  the  church  of  God  is  one.  Here  is  diversity  in  unity 
— a  property  which  God  has  impressed  upon  all  his  works, 
whether  of  creation,  of  providence,  or  of  grace — the  uni- 
verse around  him,  in  this  respect,  being  made  to  reflect  his 
own  most  glorious  character.  There  are  three  persons  in 
one  God ;  Christ  has  many  members  in  his  own  mystical 
body ;  and  other  sheep  he  has  which  are  not  of  the  same 
fold  or  denomination  of  Christians  with  any  particular 
church. 

They  who  maintain  that  the  unity  of  the  one  universal 
church  of  God,  or  that  Christian  union  and  fellowship  lie 
in  unity  of  sentiment,  are  greatly  in  error.  For  all  to  see 
alike,  or  to  be  of  the  same  opinion,  either  all  must  see 
things  just  as  they  are,  which  presupposes  omniscience, 
which  no  mere  creature  can  lay  claim  to  ;  or,  if  one  err, 
then  all  must  err  in  the  same  direction  and  to  the  same 
extent,  which  is  by  no  means  a  supposable  case.  Man  is 
finite  ;  and  none  but  the  Infinite  can  see  things  just  as 
they  are,  or  know  them  unen-ingly.  Else  the  stream  can 
rise  higher  than  the  fountain  from  which  it  flows,  or  the 
effect  exceed  the  cause  by  which  it  is  produced.  Diversi- 
ty, therefore,  is  inseparable  from  human  society,  and  both 
can  and  actually  does  co-exist  with  the  unity — the  true 
spiritual  unity  or  oneness — of  the  church  of  God. 

Equally  groundless  is  the  claim  of  the  Church  of  Rome 
13 


14 


A  HISTORy  OF  THE 


to  exemption  from  all  error  or  diversity  of  sentiment  in 
matters  of  religion,  for  the  reason  that  Christ,  Avho  is  an 
unerring  Guide,  is  her  leader,  having  promised  to  "be 
•with  her  always,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world."  The 
Apostles  themselves  erred  in  many  things,  except  when 
they  were  under  the  control  of  plenary  inspiration,  which 
has  been  vouchsafed  to  none  since  their  day.  And  be- 
sides, there  could  not  be  a  more  palpable  fallacy  than  to 
claim  infallibility  because  our  Leader  and  Guide  is  infalli- 
ble. Here  is,  for  instance,  a  perfect  mathematician — one 
who  is  master  of  his  text  book,  and  can  teach  "  the  exact 
science "  with  unerring  precision — but  does  it  follow, 
therefore,  that  the  pujjil  can  solve  every  problem  the  sci- 
ence proposes  ?  Experience  demonstrates  the  contrary. — 
He  will  often  fail  of  the  answer  required,  not  through  any 
imperfection  of  his  guide  and  teacher,  but  through  the 
weakness  of  his  own  understanding. 

Nor  is  it  true  that  the  unity  of  the  church  of  God  lies 
in  one  and  the  same  church  organization,  as  the  Church  of 
Rome  and  some  other  bigoted  successionists  contend.  Far 
from  it.  Such  unity,  being  merely  ecclesiastical  or  out- 
ward, rather  than  spiritual  in  its  character,  would  tend  to 
destroy,  rather  than  strengthen,  the  unity  of  the  church, 
properly  understood,  by  the  friction  which  bringing 
together  the  great  body  of  Christians,  with  all  their  de- 
nominational peculiarities,  must  necessarily  produce.  Di- 
versity of  sentiment,  then,  being  inseparable  from  our  fall- 
len  race — extending  not  only  to  matters  of  a  civil,  but  of 
a  religious  character — taking  in  creeds  and  confessions  of 
faith,  as  well  as  church  government,  forms  of  worship,  and 
things  of  that  sort ;  there  can  be  no  harmony  or  co-opera- 
tion— no  real  spiritual  unity — in  the  practical  workings  ot 
the  church  where  denominationalism  is  merged  in  one  and 
the  same  ecclesiastical  organization. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


15 


Such  a  church  must  stumble  at  the  very  threshold  of  its 
undertakings.  It  could  not  so  much  as  begin  its  opera- 
tions by  the  settlement  of  a  pastor.  Could  the  Calvinists 
consent  to  sit  under  the  teachings  of  an  Arminian  who 
should  inculcate  the  doctrine  of  Christian  perfection,  the 
possibility  of  falling  from  grace,  or  free  will  ?  No  more 
could  the  Arminian,  of  the  Methodist  persuasion  especial- 
ly, listen  to  the  doctrine  of  absolute  predestination,  the 
necessity  of  sin  in  believers,  or  imputed  rigliteousness. — 
Least  of  all  could  they  agree  on  a  pastor  who  should  be  so 
exceedingly  accommodating  as  to  engage  to  reflect  the 
sentiments  of  all  their  various  creeds  indiscriminately. — 
Denominational  Christianity,  then,  is  clearly  the  order  of 
God ;  a  variety  of  religious  orders,  corresponding  to  the 
various  theological  tenets  or  creeds  of  the  Christian  world, 
having  sprung  up  from  time  to  time,  at  the  instance  and 
under  the  auspices  of  Divine  Providence.  God  is  evident- 
ly in  the  arrangement ;  the  difierent  denominations  serv- 
ing as  sentinels  upon  each  other,  and  their  mutual  influ- 
ence, by  means  of  the  most  salutary  incentives  and  checks 
upon  each  other's  conduct,  contributing  in  a  manner  pe- 
culiar to  their  separate  organizations  to  the  common  wel- 
fare. Indeed,  as  a  good,  strong  line  fence  must  be  main- 
tained among  neighbors,  in  order  to  the  peace  and  harmo- 
ny of  the  neighborhood,  so  must  denominational  churches 
maintain  their  own  distinctive  organizations,  in  order  to 
the  maintenance  of  the  Christian  unity  and  fellowship  of 
the  church  universal. 

Well :  be  it  so,  that  denominational  Christianity  is,  in- 
deed, the  order  of  God ;  or  that  he  designs  his  one  univer- 
sal church  should  be  made  up  of  different  denominations, 
as  it  actually  has  been  from  the  beginning  ;  are  there  not 
enough  of  them  already  in  the  world  ?  Why  add  to  their 
number  by  the  organization  of  another  sect,  especially  an- 


16 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Other  sect  of  Ifethodists  ;  there  now  being  so  many  of 
these  bodies  in  every  }3art  of  the  land?  One  would  sup- 
pose that  the  ground  occupied  by  these  multiplied  branch- 
es of  the  Methodist  family  was  all  covered  by  the  old 
church,  and  that  it  were  far  better  they  were  all  united  in 
one  body  than  that  they  should  undergo  another  division. 
So  it  appears  to  some — all,  indeed,  who  prefer  a  dead  to  a 
living  church — and  their  prediction  is,  (the  wish  being 
father  to  the  thought,  no  doubt,)  that  the  Free  Methodists 
will  either  come  to  nothing,  or  discover  their  error  in  sep- 
arating from  the  Old  Church  and  return  to  her  bosom 
again,  as  has  been  the  case  with  nearly  all  who  have  gone 
off  before  her.  Now,  it  is  true  there  have  been  quite  a 
number  of  secessions  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
which  have  either  come  to  nothing  after  awhile,  or  re- 
turned to  the  body  from  which  they  broke  oif ;  but  the 
leaders  of  these  movements,  to  say  the  least,  were  invari- 
ably precipitated  into  secession  by  fanaticism,  disappointed 
ambition,  personal  disaffection,  or  some  such  unworthy 
motive,  and,  of  course,  could  not  succeed.  Their  own 
convictions,  not  to  say  the  hand  of  God  and  public  opin- 
ion, were  against  them. 

But,  in  the  first  place,  the  Free  Methodists  are  not  a 
secession  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  or  any 
other  religious  body.  They  arose  like  the  apostolic,  the 
Protestant,  and  the  Wesleyan  churches  ;  some  being  cast 
out  of  the  churches  to  which  they  belonged,  or  driven  off 
for  their  pious  zeal,  by  the  hand  of  persecution  ;  while  the 
great  body  of  them  have  been  gathered  in  from  the  world, 
or  a  backslidden  state,  by  a  sound  and  thorough  conver- 
sion to  God  through  their  own  apostolic  pastors. 

The  time  having  come  when  God  could  no  longer  work 
through  the  old  church,  as  formerly,  he  was  pleased  to 
raise  up  another  people  to  take  the  place  and  to  do  the 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


17 


work  which  she  had  so  shamefully  vacated — overruling 
her  wicked  persecution  of  the  faithful  within  her  pale  for 
this  purpose.  "The  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  bim." — 
And  as  the  slaveholding  South,  in  her  madness  to  extend 
the  area  of  slave  territory,  unintentionally  brought  about 
the  emancipation  of  her  slaves ;  and  the  Jewish  church, 
in  like  manner,  became  the  wicked  occasion  of  advancing 
the  cause  cf  the  early  Christians,  "  who  went  every  where 
preaching  the  word  and  turning  great  numbers  unto  the 
Lord,"  in  consequence  of  the  "  persecution  that  arose 
about  Steven  "  at  her  hands  ;  so  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  attempting  to  crush  out  the  life  and  power  of 
religion  among  them,  have  become  the  instrument — the 
unintentional  and  very  wicked  instrument — in  the  hands 
of  an  overruling  Providence,  of  bringing  this  new  organ- 
ization into  existence.  But  the  occasion  there  was  for  the 
organization  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church  will  be  made 
more  fully  to  appear  in  the  next  chapter  ur  two,  as  we 
proceed. 


CHAPTER  II. 


The  occasion  seen  and  felt  by  many  of  the  friends  of  a 
living  Christianity  in  Western  New  York,  and  some  other 
places,  for  the  organization  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church, 
will  best  be  made  to  appear  by  showing  what  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  was  formerly,  and  what  she  now  is 
or  has  been  for  a  few  years  past.  If  it  should  be  found 
that  pure  Methodism — "  Christianity  in  earnest" — which 
once  characterized  and  distinguished  said  church,  had 
nearly  died  out  in  her  communion,  while  there  was  scarce- 
ly anything  of  real  vital  godliness  to  be  met  with  among 
the  sister  churches  of  the  land  ;  it  must,  of  course,  be  con- 
ceded that  the  one  lately  formed  by  the  Free  Methodists 
was  called  for,  and  that  the  Divine  Being,  who  "leaveth 
not  himself  without  witness"  in  the  earth,  might  be  ex- 
pected to  supply  the  demand.  It  is  but  a  brief  outline  of 
the  comparative  history  of  the  Old  Church  that  can  be  at- 
tempted here ;  and  yet  the  rise  and  subsequent  history  of 
the  New  Connection  is  so  interwoven  with  that  of  the  Old, 
that  a  succinct  sketch  of  the  latter  is  indispensable  to  the 
proper  understanding  of  the  former. 

Tlie  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  is  well  known,  orig- 
inating in  a  great  and  long-continued  revival  of  religion, 
was  for  more  than  half  a  century  a  living  body  of  Chris- 
tians, fully  answering,  (with  a  single  exception,  wliich  wil' 
be  more  particularly  noticed  hereafter,)  the  following  defi- 
nition of  a  true  Christian  church  in  her  XIII.  Art.,  viz.. 
18 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


19 


"  The  visible  church  of  Christ  is  a  congregation  of  faithful 
men,  in  which  the  pure  word  of  God  is  preached,  and  the 
ordinances  duly  administered,  according  to  Christ's  ordi- 
nance, in  all  things  that  of  necessity  are  requisite  to  the 
same." 

Her  early  character  and  mission  may  be  seen  also  in  the 
standing  Address  of  the  Bishops,  (Dis.  pp.  4,  5,)  from 
which  the  following  extract  is  taken :  "  We  believe  that 
God's  design  in  raising  up  the  people  called  Methodists  in 
America,  was  to  reform  this  continent  and  spread  Scrip- 
ture holiness  over  these  lands.  As  a  proof  thereof,  we 
have  since  seen  a  great  and  glorious  work  of  God  from 
New  York,  through  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware, 
Maryland,  Virginia,  North  and  South  Carolina,  and  Geor- 
gia, as  also  of  late  to  the  extremities  of  the  Western  and 
Eastern  States." 

In  addition  to  these  authorities,  the  entire  early  history 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  together  with  the 
historic  biographies  of  Abbott,  Roberts,  Emory,  Fisk, 
Hedding,  and  some  others  of  precious  memory,  may  be 
consulted  on  the  subject ;  but  a  short  quotation  from  a 
late  semi-centennial  sermon  by  Rev.  G.  Peck,  who  will  not 
be  suspected  of  exalting  the  past  at  the  expense  of  the 
present,  will,  perhaps,  suiRce.  He  says:  "The  distin- 
guishing characteristics  of  the  old  preachers  were  their  pi- 
ety, their  simplicity  and  their  zeal.  As  a  general  thing, 
they  were  men  of  great  faith  and  of  much  prayer.  They 
had  power  with  God  and  with  the  people.  Sinners  quailed, 
trembled,  and  fell  before  them ;  and  Christians  shouted 
aloud  for  joy.  One  of  their  thundering,  old-fashioned 
sermons  sometimes  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  scores 
upon  the  spot.  Not  unfrequently  the  preacher  would  close 
his  sermon  abruptly,  and  dash  out  into  the  congregation, 
to  point  some  smitten  heart  to  Christ,  or  pray  for  one  who 


20 


A  HISTORY  OP  THB 


was  literally  roaring  in  agony  :  '  Pray  for  me  ;  O,  do  pray 
for  me ;  I  am  sinking  to  hell ! '  My  eyes  and  ears  and 
heart  were  witnesses  of  these  things.  The  old-fashioned 
singing,"  he  proceeds,  "  was  not  always  harmonious, 
scarcely  ever  artistic,  but  it  was  more  generally  devotion- 
al, sympathetic,  melting.  Sinners  would  be  sung  into 
tears,  and  then  into  the  penitent's  prayer,  '  God  be  merci- 
ful to  me  a  sinner ; '  and  Aen  sung  into  shouting,  '  glory 
to  God  in  the  highest.'  It  was  a  moral  force  sometimes 
overwhelming.  There  was  converting  and  sanctifying 
power  in  the  singing.  I  would  that  I  could  hear  it  again; 
but  I  never  shall  in  this  world.  The  preaching  was  in 
thunder  tones,  and  the  prayer-meetings  were  seasons  of 
strong  emotion.  Loud  praying  and  singing,  shouting  and 
falling,  were  the  ordinary  characteristics  of  these  occa 
sions.  The  excitement  was  not  put  on  or  worked  up  ;  it 
was  clearly  the  result  of  mighty  impulses,  occasioned  by 
a  Divine  inspiration.  God  was  in  it,  and  it  was  a  means 
of  the  awakening  and  salvation  of  souls." 

Had  the  Old  Church  always  remained  thus,  there  would 
have  been  no  occasion  for  another  Methodist  church  cer- 
tainly, as  she  could  not  have  failed,  in  that  case,  to  carry 
forward  the  great  and  glorious  objects  of  her  denomina- 
tional mission — the  "  spreading  of  Scrij^ture  holiness  over 
the  land."  Much  less  could  she  have  thrust  from  her 
bosom  her  own  most  dutiful  and  devoted  children  for  no 
other  cause  than  the  manifestation  of  their  love  to  God 
and  Methodism.  But  when  we  turn  the  tables,  and  look 
at  what  she  now  is,  and  has  been  for  a  number  of  years 
past,  a  very  different  conclusion  will  be  arrived  at. 

As  intimated  above,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
well  accorded  with  her  own  definition  of  a  pure  Scriptural 
church  of  Christ  for  many  years  after  she  first  arose,  with 
one  exception.    "  She  was  clean,  but  not  all."    There  was 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


21 


the  plague-spot  of  slavery  upon  her  forehead  from  the  be- 
ginning ;  and,  tampering  with  the  evil  instead  of  resolv- 
ing in  good  earnest  upon  its  removal,  it  continued  to 
spread  and  rankle  in  her  system  till  the  whole  body  be- 
came paralyzed.  The  Bishops  and  many  other  leading 
men  in  the  connection,  making  common  cause  with  the 
dough-faced  politicians  of  the  North  and  all  the  other 
churches  in  general,  had  all  along  pandered  to  the  slave 
power,  till  the  nation  at  large — North  and  South,  Church 
and  State — had  fallen  under  its  domineering  control ;  and 
legislation  and  commerce,  literature  and  religion,  the  pul- 
pit and  the  press,  were  placed  in  abject  surveillance  to  its 
lordly  dictation. 

As  the  Old  Church  had  always  some  prohibitory  rules 
against  slavery,  and  a  strong  anti-slavery  minority  in  her 
membership  and  councils  who  were  doing  all  they  could 
for  its  extirpation,  a  long-sulFering  God  continued  to  bear 
with  her  until  the  General  Conference  of  1860,  when  the 
last  barrier  to  the  foul  abomination  was  swept  from  her 
statute  book,  and  worldliness,  and  pride,  and  formalism, 
and  all  the  fashionable  associations  and  amusements  which 
had  been  covertly  following  in  its  train,  broke  loose  on 
every  hand,  the  church  throwing  off  all  restraint,  and 
scouting  evangelical  piety  as  the  wildest  fanaticism.  It 
was  now  that  God,  whose  patience  had  become  exhausted, 
virtually  said  of  a  church  he  had  so  long  smiled  upon  and 
cherished,  "  Ephraim  is  joined  to  his  idols :  let  him  alone  ! " 
A  new  denomination,  taking  on  the  title  of  the  Free 
Methodist  Church,  and  adopting  Wesleyan  Methodism — 
purged  from  "  the  sum  of  all  villanies,"  secret  societies, 
and  such  other  corruptions  as  "  the  peculiar  institution  " 
had  drawn  after  it — was  forthwith  called  into  existence. 

It  is  not  the  history  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
however,  that  we  propose  to  write;  .■iiid,  of  course,  it  will 


22 


A  HISTORY  OF  THK 


not  be  deemed  appropriate  to  trace  her  character  and  be- 
havior in  much  detail.  It  must  suffice  our  present  pur- 
pose to  show  generally  what  she  now  is,  or  was  when  the 
Free  Methodists  arose,  rather  than  how  she  came  to  be 
such. 


CHAPTER  III. 


That  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  a  body,  is 
woefnlly  fallen,  having  lost  her  simplicity  and  power,  is 
almost  universally  believed.  Her  object  now  seems  to  be, 
not  to  "  spread  Scripture  holiness  ever  the  land,"  but  to 
build  herself  up  in  worldliness  and  pride.  And  although 
this  fact  is  generally  understood  and  known,  the  church 
herself  being  conscious  of  it,  in  proportion  as  the  light  is 
forced  upon  her  ;  still  she  claims  to  be  advancing  in  her 
appropriate  work  and  character,  insisting  that  there  is 
consequently  no  occasion  whatever  for  the  establishment 
of  another  Methodist  Church  in  the  land  ;  a  few  extracts 
and  reflections,  showing  the  utter  groundlessness  of  such 
pretensions,  will  here  be  introduced. 

The  first  extract  will  be  taken  from  a  semi-centennial 
sermon  preached  before  the  Oneida  Annual  Conference 
some  four  years  ago  from  the  text,  "I marvel  that  ye  are 
6o  soon  removed  from  him  that  called  you  into  the  grace 
of  Christ,  unto  another  gospel,"  etc.,  by  the  author  of  this 
work.    Here  follows  the  extract : 

"  But  the  great  object  of  our  present  discourse,  is,  to 
portray  the  defection  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
from  God  and  Methodism.  And  having  given  a  brief  il- 
lustration of  the  general  subject  in  the  parallel  we  have 
drawn  between  our  church  and  that  of  the  Galatians,  wa 
shall  proceed  to  show,  somewhat  more  in  the  light  of  his- 


24 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


toiy,  what  are  the  particular  aspects  of  the  case  by  com- 
paring our  present  with  our  former  condition ;  the  com- 
parison having  respect,  not  as  the  custom  is,  to  numbers, 
wealth,  worldly  influence,  and  the  like,  which  constitute 
no  adequate  test  of  the  character  of  a  church  ;  but  to  doc- 
trine, discipline,  and  practical  godliness. 

"  1.  We  shall  first  notice  our  defection  from  God  and 
Methodism  in  respect  to  doctrine.  And  here  we  have  most 
clearly  been  '  removed  from  him  [Wesley,  God,  or  both] 
who  called  us  into  the  grace  of  Christ,  unto  another  gos- 
pel,' on  the  subject  of  sanctification,  merging  this  great 
subsequent  change  as  we  do  in  that  of  regeneration  or  the 
new  birth.  Mr.  Wesley  taught  a  distinction  between 
these  two  states — using  the  terms  justification  and  regen- 
eration interchangeably — in  the  following  questions  and 
answers : 

" '  Q.  When  does  inward  sanctification  begin  ? ' 

" '  A.  The  moment  a  man  is  justified.  (Yet  sin  re" 
mains  in  him — yea,  the  seed  of  all  sin — till  he  is  sanctified 
throughout.)  From  that  moment  a  believer  gradually 
dies  to  sin,  and  grows  in  grace.' — Wesley's  Works,  Vol. 
VI.,  p.  496. 

" '  Q.  Is  this  death  to  sin,  and  renewal  in  love,  gradual, 
or  instantaneous  ? ' 

"  *  A-  A  man  may  be  dying  for  some  time,  yet  he  does 
not,  properly  speaking,  die,  till  the  instant  the  soul  is  sep- 
arated from  the  body ;  and  in  that  instant  he  lives  the 
life  ot  eternity.  In  like  manner  a  man  may  be  dying  to 
sin  for  some  time,  yet  he  is  not  dead  to  sin,  till  sin  is  sep- 
arated from  the  soul.  And  the  change  undergone,  when 
the  body  dies,  is  of  a  different  kind,  and  infinitely  greater 
than  any  he  had  known  before,  yea,  su«h  as  till  then  it  is 
impossible  to  conceive;  so  the  change  wrought  when  the 
soul  dies  to  sin,  is  of  a  different  kind,  and  infinitely  greater 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


than  any  before,  and  than  any  can  conceive  till  he  exper- 
iences it.' — Vol.  VI.,  p.  505. 

"Here  we  have  the  views  of  our  great  Founder,  too 
plainly  set  forth  to  be  misunderstood  ;  the  views  of  all  our 
standard  authors,  and  of  the  whole  chui'ch  formerly,  as  to 
the  distinction  between  sanctification  and  justification — 
a  distinction  Mr.  Wesley  considered  equivalent  to  that 
between  death  and  dying — pronouncing  it  infinite. 

"The  doctrine  we  now  generally  hold  and  teach  on  the 
subject,  '  removed,'  as  we  are,  '  unto  another  gospel,'  may 
be  seen  in  the  following  extract,  made  by  Mr.  "Wesley, 
from  the  writings  of  Count  Zinzendorf : 

" '  We  are  sanctified  wholly,  the  moment  we  are  justi- 
fied, and  are  neither  more  nor  less  holy  to  the  day  of  our 
death,  entire  sanctification  and  justification  being  in  one 
and  the  same  instant.' — Works,  Vol.  VI.,  p.  22. 

"Entire  sanctification,  as  taught  by  Mr.  Wesley,  imply- 
ing a  subsequent  and  distinct  work  from  justification,  has 
always  been  regarded  as  a  pi-imary  doctrine  of  our  creed. 
It  is  not  only  found  in  all  our  standards,  having  been  held 
by  the  whole  church — preachers  and  people — till  within  a 
few  years ;  but  thousands  of  witnesses,  of  the  most  re- 
liable character,  have  borne  testimony  to  its  reality  and 
blessedness  from  their  own  personal  exjierience.  But 
now,  the  old  Moravian  heresy  of  the  identity  of  the  tAvo 
states  is  pretty  generally  embraced  among  us.  And  its 
advocates,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  exhibit  a  virulence  in  their 
opposition  to  the  Wesleyan  view  of  the  subject  which  but 
too  clearly  betrays  their  want  of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and 
the  aversion  they  feel  to  the  subject  of  a  living  piety. 

"  2.  Having  disposed  of  the  question  of  the  doctrinal 
defection  of  the  church,  we  shall  now  consider  her  equally 
great  and  desperate  falling  away  in  regard  to  discipline. 

"And  here  we  are  compelled  to  say  that  the  Discipline 


26 


A  mSTOKV    OF  'HiK 


of  our  church,  no  less  a  rule  oflioly  living  than  a  standard 
of  orthodoxy  in  former  times,  li;is  been  well  nigh  despoiled 
of  its  authority  and  moral  power  by  reeent  rhanges.  To 
say  nothing  of  those  of  a  minor  cliaraeter  it  lias  undergone 
in  relation  to  dress,  free  scats,  ehnrcli  rituals,  etc. — all  of 
wliieh  have  tendetl  \n  paralyze  the  arm  of  the  church  in 
(lie  training  of  her  children  for  heaven — the  change  ef- 
i'ected  at  the  General  Conference  four  years  ago  on  the 
subject  of  church-slavery,  by  whicii  the  last  vestige  of  any 
mandatory  inhibition  of  the  evil  was  toned  down  to  mere 
advice,  has  left  us  in  a  pitifully  demoralized  condition.  A 
Avide  door  is  now  thrown  open  to  spiritual  licentiousness 
and  pride,  and  -wickedness  of  almost  e\  ery  hue  may  revel 
upon  our  very  altars  M'itli  im])unity  !  If  some  ])articular 
sins  are  still  interdicted  l)y  tlie  letter  of  the  Discipline,  the 
authority  to  punish  the  otfcnder  in  these  cases  is  entirely 
neutralized  from  the  necessity  we  are  under,  for  consis- 
tency's sake,  of  interpreting  such  interdictory  laws  upon 
the  basis  of  a  more  recent  general  enactment  M'hich  vir- 
tually tolerates  'the  smn  (if  all  vilL-inies.' 

"We  now  say,  in  effect,  to  our  offending  members — our 
mandatory  rules  being  reduced  to  mere  advice — 'Why  do 
ye  such  things,  my  sons  ?  for  it  is  no  good  report  I  hear 
of  you;'  knowing  at  the  same  time  that  they  will  just  do 
as  they  please. 

"We  repeat  it,  that  to  place  '  the  sum  of  all  villanies ' 
upon  the  ground  of  mei-e  advice,  is  to  ])lace  each  and  ev- 
ery particular  sin — the  greater  comprehending  the  less — 
on  the  same  ground:  a  coni-se  of  administration  which  the 
most  of  us,  taking  advantage  of  the  rose-water  legislation 
of  the  late  General  Conference,  and  drinking  into  the 
same  spirit  of  defection  which  prompted  their  guilty  ac- 
tion in  the  premises,  have  already  adopted. 

"Oh,  how  little  of  our  .arly   snn],licity,  our  early 


KI!KK  M Kill O 01  ST  CHURCH. 


abandonment  of  tlie  devotion  to  the  one  great  -work  of 
soul-saving,  still  remains  with  us  at  the  present  day  ! — 
The  successors  of  Wesley,  of  Asbury,  of  Garrettson,  and 
their  self  sacrificing  lay  coadjutors,  where  are  they? — 
Where  are  our  Whites,  our  Cases,  our  Puffers  ?  And  those 
of  the  membership  who  helped  '  them  much  in  the  Lord  ?' 
On  whom,  of  all  our  Israel,  has  their  mantle  fallen  ?  Dot  s 
not  a  melancholy  echo  answer,  '  On  whom  ? ' 

"But  as  all  error,  in  general, since  the  foundation  of  the 
world — as  well  in  life  and  manners,  as  in  doctrine  and  dis- 
cipline— is  known  to  have  originated  with  the  clergy :  we 
shall  bestoAV  the  burden  of  our  remarks,  on  this  branch  of 
the  subject,  upon  them ;  comparing  them  with  their  pre- 
decessors of  an  early  day,  as  preachers,  as  pastors,  and  as 
Christians. 

"  1.  And  first,  as  pi-eachers.  Possibly,  the  early  pulpit 
of  our  church  may  have  had  less  of  general  science,  or  of 
scliool  oratory,  than  the  pulpit  of  to-day  ;  but  in  sound, 
practical  theology,  and  a  knowledge  of  the  various  sus- 
ceptibilities and  workings  of  human  nature,  so  necessary 
to  ministerial  success,  it  'stood  head  and  shoulders  above 
us.'  Its  utterances  were  plain,  pointed,  and  ellective  ;— 
'turning  many  to  righteousness,  and  building  vip  believers 
in  their  most  holy  faith.'  It  miglit  well  be  said  of  our 
fathers  in  the  ministry,  that  being  'full  ol'  faitli  aTid  the 
Holy  Ghost,'  '  their  speech  and  their  pi-eaching  was  not 
with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstra- 
tion of  the  Spirit  and  of  the  power.'  In  those  days,  God 
was  pleased  to  put  honor  upon  His  ambassadors;  'pour- 
ing out  His  Spirit '  upon  the  field  of  their  labor,  and  'open- 
ing a  great  and  effectual  door '  to  them  on  every  hand. 

"In  those  days  'the  slain  of  the  Lord  were  many;'  it 
being  a  matter  of  ordinary  ocem-rence  that  scores  were 
converted  and  brought  into  the  kingdom  under  the  preach- 


28 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ing  of  the  word.  No  all- winter  campaigns,  with  a  corpH 
or  two  of  extra  help,  were  then  necessary  to  bring  about 
a  revival  in  the  church ;  the  ordinary  appliances  in  their 
hands  were  all-sulBcient  for  this  purpose.  It  was  then  they 
preached  holiness — Scriptural,  Wesleyan  holiness — and 
tliat  too  in  almost  every  sermon  ;  showing  forth  its  power 
and  loveliness  in  their  lives  and  conversation.  And  it  was 
then  that  the  most  hardened  and  violent  opposers  even, 
'  unable  to  resist  the  wisdom  and  the  Spirit  with  which 
they  spake,'  were  won  over  to  Christ  by  the  power  of  Di- 
vine Truth,  or  driven  from  the  field  of  contest  with  shame 
and  confusion  of  face.  Let  the  millions  now  on  earth  and 
in  heaven,  gathered  into  the  fold  of  Christ  through  their 
labors,  attest  the  divinity  and  power  of  their  faithful  min- 
istrations. 

"But  O,  the  change  that  has  come  over  our  ministry  in 
later  times  !  How  lamentable  the  defection  observable 
within  a  very  short  period.  Popularity  is  now  the  goal ; 
and  in  order  to  reach  it,  the  style  and  manner  of  preach 
ing  must  be  changed.  The  plain,  simple  style  of  Jesus, 
of  Wesley,  and  of  Hedding,  must  give  place  to  a  turgid 
bombastic  display,  which  makes  the  illiterate  masses  gape 
and  stare,  instead  of  'bringing  them  to  repentance  and  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth.'  Popular  sins  must  not  now 
be  meddled  with,  as  they  are  too  delicate  a  subject  to  be 
treated  of  in  a  popular  assembly ;  or,  belonging  exclusive- 
ly to  politics,  the  Christian  minister  has  nothing  to  do 
with  them.  Such  is  the  pretext.  The  true  reason  is,  that 
few  of  us  can  hew  to  the  line  in  respect  to  these  sins,  but 
the  chips  will  fly  in  our  own  face.  And  then,  it  would  of- 
fend our  fashionable  hearers — driving  them  from  our  con- 
gregations, and  cutting  off  their  support — which  will  never 
do.  The  doctrines,  the  duties,  the  institutions  of  the  gos- 
pel, every  thing  connected  with  religion,  must  be  popular- 


FKEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


29 


ized  and  adapted  to  the  public  tuste.  '  The  oiience  of  the 
cross  must  cease;'  and  cold,  moral  essays,  interspersed 
with  anecdote  and  poetry,  and  embellished  with  rhetorical 
flights  and  tiourishes,  must  succeed  to  the  preaching  of 
repentance  toward  God  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesns 
Christ.' 

"And  besides  all  this,  there  is  a  numerous  class  of  the 
community  who  can  visit  only  places  of  amusement ;  and 
to  secure  the  attendance  of  these,  as  well  as  to  gratify  our 
own  carnal  inclination,  we  must  convert  the  church  into  a 
sort  of  a  play-house,  where  the  most  fastidious  pleasure- 
taker  can  find  the  entertainment  he  seeks.  Our  bombas- 
tic, highfalutin,  moralizing  declamation  will  not  suffice  for 
this  class  of  hearers.  There  must  be  something  to  excite 
their  risibilities,  and  fill  their  mouths  with  laughter  ;  some- 
thing of  the  ludicrous,  and  the  funny ;  something  of  the 
coniico-pious  type,  by  which  the  almost  universal  taste  of 
mankind  will  be  gratified,  and  the  highest  degree  of  pop- 
ularity and  patronage  secured. 

"  The  responsive  '  amen '  of  the  devout  worshiper  is  no 
longer  looked  for  or  desired .  among  us.  Nor  is  there 
much  in  our  pulpit  exercises  to  call  it  forth.  Much  less 
do  we  tolerate  the  old-fashioned  Methodist  shouting  in 
our  congregations.  Such  manifestations  of  pious  joy 
ATOuld  be  esteemed  quite  disorderly — a  palpable  interrup- 
tion of  the  order  and  solemnity  of  Divine  worship — and 
not  to  be  allowed  in  the  house  of  God.  But  while  we 
shrink  from  these  pious  demonstrations,  lest  our  iasliion- 
able  hearers  should  suspect  us  of  sympathizing  with  a  re- 
ligion the  world  hates,  we  can  well  endure  the  bursts  of 
carnal  laughter,  and  rounds  of  clamorous  cheering  excited 
by  our  comical,  pantomimic,  merrj'-making  exhibitions, 
and  might  not  be  greatly  disturbed  in  our  feelings,  were 
the  scenes  of  the  declining  apostolic  church  to  return  ; 


30 


A  HISrOKy  OF  THE 


when  the  people,  in<tio;itft<l  by  t\ip  prertcher,  were  aecns- 
roinefl  \<i  ex«  l;iiiii  :i>  In-  w  :i>  )ii-..»,-f<  <liiii:  "  irli  his  (Hscourse 

-~  -l.i-avo.    p1u,|,   iHosi    U'a.-n.'.l.  A|,(.ll..s;  j.n.l 

llu-likf.  In  ill.'  \rrs  o.v;<t  ^rtIjsi■:H•li.,u  ..f  ll.elr  hu.iil.le- 
mirnie*!  ].;isUi|-.  Siicl,  ;i  ,  ulli>e  now  liecome  I  lit-  higli 
way  to  i)opularity,  and  must  be  resorted  to  at  all  events, 
tor  we  must  be  popular,  and  there  is  no  other  way  to  gain 
our  end.  But  the  theme  is  too  painful  to  be  pursued,  and 
we  turn  from  it  in  disgust.  Suffice  it  to  say,  we  exceed- 
ingly loathe  this  religious  butfoonry — this  charlatanism  of 
the  pulpit — this  holy  fun — so  much  in  vogue  among  the 
ministry  of  our  day,  and  we  would  now  and  forever  bear 
our  protest  against  it. 

"  We  are  deeply  pained  with  such  shameful  prostitution 
of  the  sacred  desk.  Nor  do  we  find  any  relief  to  our 
feelings  in  the  reflection  that  the  period  is  not  distant 
when,  at  our  present  rate  of  deterioration,  it  will  be  im- 
possible to  distinguish  between  the  pulpit  and  the  stage. 

"  2.  Again,  secondly :  having  contemplated  the  defec- 
tion of  our  ministry  in  reference  to  their  pulpit  perform- 
ances, we  shall  now  inquire  how  it  is  with  them  as  to 
their  pastoral  oversight  and  character.  Do  they  make  any 
real  pastoral  visits  among  the  people  of  their  respective 
charges — praying  with  the  families  on  whom  they  call 
and  speaking  to  each  member  personally  on  the  subject 
of  religion — as  formerly  ?  Are  they  uniformly  found  at 
the  stated  social  meetings  of  the  church,  there  to  '  reprove, 
rebuke,  and  exhort,'  as  the  case  may  be ;  giving  the  re- 
(piisite  counsel,  looking  after  the  delinquent,  and  promo- 
ting the  spirit  of  revival  among  all  classes  of  the  commu- 
nity, as  their  fathers  were  ?  Ah,  how  changed  we  are  be- 
come in  these  respects  !  These  primary  institutions,  so 
necessary  to  the  prosperity,  if  not  to  the  very  existence 
of  Methodism,  are  almost  run  down  upon  their  bands — a 


a.  .  _        ■  rroiB.  we«t      weeit  u.r  - 

-  -  a  Sid  oi^coTaKnc.  a»  L- 

paaC'.r  2  -lii^T.  j^<i  .-A^.Tiitj;  sBflB  titan,  tiieir  aw9.  acKr^  - 
&>r  die  sane  pmrp«^.  tie"*-  h»        fearfei»r      ni  th»-  • 

bwe  «  G*L  ■«  :     ^  -  : 

kr  «£ tke  ffufci  in  •9C  ^  -  »ietiirsEetL ! 

tiiey  BHC  -ieseezaBe  s&e  ^aereti  ofSet:^  aoiH^n- 

doa  K^Ba.TiMi.  sni  ■  iiiiiiif  cae  Btfoar  uui  d>r-' 

h     im  itt  cMifaiua  a£  God.  W  plansms^  inso  lao^  rtsr- 

«■■•]!  Itimiiii  secvK  «M3e«ae&    Ie  e  trze.  d^ese  aesBes  of 


32 


A  HISTORY    OF  THE 


ministry  to  be  relieved  by  such  inquiry  ?  It  would  afford 
us  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to  add  a  few  lights  here  ;  but 
alas  for  us  !  the  Discipline,  once  a  living  principle  in  our 
hands,  guarding  the  purity  of  the  Church,  and  aiding  her 
children  to  build  themselves  up  in  faith  and  love,  has  now 
become  a  dead  letter.  And  here  also  our  defection  from 
God  most  clearly  appears — the  life  and  power  of  religion 
invariably  declining,  and  the  spirit  of  worldliness  and 
corruption  taking  possession  of  the  church,  in  the  same 
proportion  as  the  administration  of  Discipline  is  neglected. 
Formerly,  we  were  in  the  habit  of  arraigning  offenders, 
who  would  not  be  reproved,  for  trial ;  expelling  the  incor- 
rigible, as  well  as  for  'a  breach  of  our  rules  of  Discipline, 
as  for  immoral  conduct.'  But  how  seldom  is  either  the 
one  or  the  other  done  now  !  Some,  to  be  sure,  are  said 
to  be  cut  off  on  both  these  accounts;  but  are  all  offenders 
so  treated  ?  Are  any  of  them,  except  the  crime  of  pov- 
erty, or  want  of  influential  friends,  or  of  presuming  to 
'  obey  God  rather  than  man  ' — very  conveniently  termed 
'  contumacy ' — be  superadded  to  their  other  offences  ? — 
These  last  named  sins  may  not  constitute  the  ostensible 
ground  of  complaint,  but  who  can  say  they  are  not  the 
real  ground,  at  least  in  very  many  cases,  after  all, — 
other  names  being  given  them  merely  to  save  appearances. 

"  Formerly,  we  were  a  living  church,  '  worshiping  God 
in  spirit  and  in  truth,  and  in  the  beauty  of  holiness.'  We 
then  prayed  with  the  Spirit,  and  with  the  understanding 
also  ;  '  and  we  sang  in  the  same  manner,  as  the  effect  of 
our  devotions  sufficiently  attested.  But  where  shall  we 
look  for  much  of  this  sort  of  worship  in  these  times  ? — 
Who  now  gets  those  answers  to  ])rayer  that  used  to  be 
realized  in  the  '  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit '  upon  the  pray- 
ing ones  '  assembled  in  the  name  of  Christ,'  the  ])rostra- 
tion  of  sinners  under  the  power  of  God,  and  the  so  filling 


FRHE   METHODIST  CllUUdl. 


33 


believers  with  transports  of  liea\  enly  joy  as  to  cause  them 
to  appear  to  the  world  to  be  '  drunk  with  new  M'ine'  ? — 
Our  prayers  at  the  present  day  are  usually  so  formal,  and 
so  complimentary  both  to  God  and  the  people,  as  utterly 
to  fail  of  their  legitimate  eftect,  receiving  no  more  of  a 
Divine  answer  than  those  of  the  prophets  of  Baal  in  their 
contest  with  Elijah.  'Praying  to  be  heard  of  men,  we 
have  our  reward ; '  our  prayers  being  praised  and  puffed 
by  the  listless,  dozing  assembly,  who  cannot  for  their  life 
tell  what  we  have  been  praying  about,  and  with  this  we 
are  satisfied. 

"  And  as  for  our  churcli  music — the  surest  exponent  of 
the  character  of  our  devotions — it  can  scarcely  be  regarded 
as  anything  else  than  solemn  mockery.  The  Apostle  said, 
'  I  will  sing  with  the  Spirit,  and  I  will  sing  with  the  un- 
derstanding also,'  placing  tlie  music  of  the  sanctuary  pre- 
cisely on  the  same  ground  with  prayer — the  one,  equally 
with  the  other,  belonging  to  the  worship  of  God,  and  to 
be  conducted  in  the  same  devotional  and  solemn  manner. 
But  what  sort  of  worship  is  there  in  our  singing  at  the 
present  day  ?  Do  we  indeed  '  sing  with  the  Spirit  and 
with  the  understanding,'  as  enjoined  to  do,  '  making  melo- 
dy in  our  hearts  unto  the  Lord'  ?  Do  we  V  Instead  of 
the  grave,  soul-cheering  music  of  other  days,  inspiring  a 
frame  of  the  purest  and  most  lively  devotion  in  genuine 
Christian  worshijjers,  and  softening  the  obstinate  sinner 
even  into  a  gracious  susceptibility  of  the  preached  word 
by  its  moving,  melting,  all-subduing  melody ;  we  are 
treated  to  a  set  of  light  and  frivolous  airs — inharmonious, 
undignified,  and  dissipating  to  every  thought  and  feeling 
of  .the  heart — the  merest  affectation  of  music — and  so  mis- 
erably artificial  as  to  exclude  every  element,  as  well  of  na- 
ture as  of  grace,  from  their  composition. 

"  Nor  is  there  any  more  of  '  the  understanding'  than  of 


84 


A   HISTORY  OF  THE 


'  the  Spivit'  in  our  modem  church  music ;  since  none  can 
understcand  one  word  in  ten  of  the  hymn  pretended  to  be 
sung- — the  peculiar  modification  of  the  voice,  or  confor- 
mation of  the  vocal  organs  now  cultivated ;  and  the 
speechless,  soulless,  Christless  bellowings  of  some  sort  of 
musical  instruments,  rendering  the  articulation  of  the  per- 
formers utterly  indistinct.  Add  to  this  the  grating,  inco- 
herent, fiddle  faddle  interlude  by  which  the  tune  is  inter- 
rupted at  the  close  of  every  stanza,  and  the  monopoly  of 
this  branch  of  Divine  worship  on  the  part  of  a  few — often 
of  the  ungodly — and  Satan  himself  could  scarcely  con- 
trive anything  more  calculated  to  neutralize  the  legiti- 
mate effect  of  the  services  of  the  sanctuary  upon  the  con 
gregation. 

"  But  this  is  not  all.  Our  reverence  and  love  of  God — 
the  first  great  branch  of  Christian  piety,  as  exhibitited 
above — having  sunk  into  mere  formalism  ;  it  were  to  be 
expected  that  the  second  branch  also — the  obedience  due 
Him  in  the  various  relations  of  life— would  be  found  to 
have  degenerated  into  a  loose  and  easy  morality.  And 
such  we  now  discover  to  be  actually  the  case  with  us. 

"  The  holy  Sabbath  is  now  desecrated  among  us  to  a 
great  and  growing  extent  in  the  ordinary  visiting  back 
and  forth  of  friends,  the  rambling  over  wood-land  and 
field  for  purposes  of  recreation  or  pastime,  in  taking  from 
the  Post  Office  and  looking  over  our  mail — secular  and  po- 
litical newspapers  not  excepted — even  more  than  any  oth- 
er day  of  the  week ;  and  last,  not  least,  in  traveling  twen- 
ty or  thirty  miles  to  and  from  meeting,  as  is  the  case 
with  many  of  our  preachers — presiding  elders  especially — 
for  the  reason  that  their  lucrative,  secular  avocations,  and 
the  attractions  of  home,  leave  them  no  leisure  to  go  to 
their  appointments  on  a  week  day. 

"With  respect  to  intemperance,  we  may  not  have  kept 


FEEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


35 


pace  with  the  English  Wesleyau  connection,  whom  a  cor- 
respondent of  the  Christian  Advocate  represents  as  a 
community  of  incipient  drunkards.  They,  being  a  little 
older  than  we,  might  be  expected  to  have  got  somewhat 
ahead  of  us  in  their  devotion  to  Bacchus.  But,  however 
we  may  have  fallen  behind  them  in  the  use  of  wines,  beers, 
and  other  intoxicating  liquors,  as  a  beverage,  still,  in  that 
nastier  form  of  intemperance,  which  consists  in  chewing, 
smoking,  and  snuffing  tobacco,  we  can  scarcely  be  outdone. 
In  vain  are  we  expostulated  with  on  che  subject  by  rela- 
tives and  friends  ;  all  sense  of  the  indecency  of  the  prac- 
tice, and  of  its  offensiveness  to  all  decent  people,  having 
become  extinct.  Especially  is  this  the  case  with  most  of 
our  preachers.  Still  they  continue  to  bow  down  at  the 
shrine  of  their  Bacchanalian  idol,  and  pay  him  their  eager, 
filth}^  slobberin'JC  devotions.  The  appalling  criminality 
of  a  practice  which  has  wasted  more  lives,  not  to  say  more 
time  and  money,  than  any  other  species  of  intemperance ; 
and  of  insulting  every  body  they  approach,  by  compel- 
ling him  to  stand  aloof  with  seeming  incivility,  or  inhale 
tlie  pestiferous  atmosphere  they  carry  about  them,  gives 
them  no  concern.  They  even  rej  c».rd  their  guilty  indul- 
gence as  an  accomplishment,  without  which  they  would 
scarcely  be  qualified  for  respectable  society,  and  scoif  at 
the  vulgarity  or  superstition  of  those  who  presume  to 
make  it  a  question  of  morals. 

"Again;  the  loose  and  easy  morality — if,  indeed,  it  be 
not  a  gross  immorality — into  which  our  practical  godliness 
has  degenerated  latterly,  may  be  seen  in  the  custom  which 
has  obtained  for  awhile  past,  of  raising  money  for  church 
purposes,  by  the  sale  of  church  seats  or  pews,  and  then  re- 
pudiating the  title  by  which  they  were  conveyed  to  pur- 
chaser, by  church  action — the  preachers  approving,  if 
not  instigating  the  abominable  fraud,  because,  forsootlij 


36 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


the  annual  renting  of  these  seats,  when  disencumbered  of 
the  cLaims  of  their  rightful  owners,  would  yield  a  larger 
and  more  certain  revenue  for  their  support  than  could  be 
realized  in  any  otlier  way. 

"  But  the  strongest  and  most  conclusive  evidence  of 
our  defection  from  God  is  found  in  the  fact,  that  having 
lost  the  life  and  power  of  religion  ourselves,  we  now  per- 
secute it  in  others.  It  is  by  this  work  of  hell,  more  than 
anything  else,  that  we  become  identified  with  fallen 
churcliLS;  for  tliese  alone  assume  the  prerogative,  and  pos- 
sess the  disposition,  to  persecute  others  for  their  religion. 
It  is  the  cliurcii,  noininalli:,  that  has  forever  constituted 
the  great  perse'-uting  power,  the  civil  authorities — wheth 
er  Heathen,  Cliristian,  or  Intidel  —  doing  comparatively  lit- 
tle in  tliis  direction  ;  scarcely  anything,  indeed,  except  by 
her  instigation.  All  the  persecutions,  in  general,  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  may  be  traced  to  the  church — 
covered,  of  course,  by  the  pretended  holy  purpose  of  pro- 
moting the  cause  of  God  by  the  extirpation  of  its  ene- 
mies, particularly  those  she  is  pleased  to  charge  with  'fa- 
naticism' or  '  contumacy.' 

"  Who  persecuted  and  slew  the  Prophets,  the  Apostles, 
the  Lord  of  life  and  glory  ?  The  church.  Who  destroyed 
the  lives  of  more  than  fifty  millions  of  Protestant  Chris- 
tians in  the  sixteenth  century  ?  The  church.  Who  drove 
the  Puritans  out  of  England,  and  the  Huguenots  out  of 
France — massacreing  many  thousands  of  them  in  the  most 
barbarous  manner, — and  hung  the  Qu?-kers  in  Boston? — 
Tlie  church.  Who  formerly  persecute  the  Methodists  in 
the  old  country,  and  more  recently  in  this,  while  they  sus- 
tained the  character  of  a  holy  people  ?  The  church.  And 
if  the  question  be  asked,  Who  are  now  kindling  the  flame 
of  persecution  against  the  Free  Methodists  that  have  late- 
ly sprung  up  among  us,  and  all  who  go  in  for  holiness  in 


FREE   MKTHOUIST  CHUKCH. 


37 


life  and  manners,  as  inculcated  by  Mr.  Wesley,  even  with- 
in our  own  pale?  The  same  humiliating  answer  must  be 
given  :  It  is  the  church — aye,  the  Methodist  Cliurch  !  She 
it  is,  being  fallen  to  the  self-conceited  eminence  of  Popish 
infallibility  and  exclusiveness,  who  excoraraunicates  her 
best  members,  lay  and  clerical — ostensibly  for  '  contuma- 
cy'— the  one  grand  complaint  of  all  fallen,  persecuting 
cliurche's  agfiinst  reputed  heretics — but  really  for  the  rea 
son  that  'her  own  works  are  evil,  and  theirs  righteous.' 

"  We  could  easily  multiply  extracts,  showing  that  the 
above  views  of  the  fallen  condition  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  are  generally  entertained  by  the  communi- 
ty. The  following,  however,  from  an  editorial  of  the  Kew 
York  Chronicle^  a  well-known  paper  of  the  Baptist  de- 
nomination, must  suffice: 

"'We  attended  last  Sabbath  evening  the  Methodist 
Church,  corner  of  Fourth  Avenue  and  Twenty-Second 
Street,  and  heard  a  very  good  sermon  from  the  pastor, 
whose  name  we  have  not  the  pleasure  of  knowing.  Our 
purpose  is  not  to  report  the  sermon,  but  to  express  our 
sense  of  the  contrast  between  Methodism  now  and  over 
forty  years  ago.  It  exceeds  all  computation.  Then  we 
used,  as  a  lad,  to  frequent  their  meetings  held  in  barns, 
private  houses,  groves,  and  in  any  place  affording  tlie  least 
convenience  for  earnest  worshipers.  .  Now,  what  do  we 
behold?  An  archepiscopal  palace,  with  its  ample  interior 
spaces,  broad  galleries,  lofty,  frescoed  ceilings,  extended 
aisles,  cushioned  pews,  done  off  in  costly  woods,  and  floors 
covered  with  rich  carpeting.  Then  the  worshipers  kneeled 
on  the  hard  floor,  and  felt  themselves  privileged  to  do  so 
in  the  audience  chamber  of  the  Maker  who  they  supreme- 
ly loved  and  adored ;  now  cushioned  foot-stools,  soft  as 
down,  are  provided  for  the  bended  knees  of  those  who 
condescend  to  so  low  an  attitude — the  most  of  the  audi- 


36 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


tors  remaining  in  a  sitting  posture,  after  the  absurd  exam- 
ple of  the  sects  whose  worldliness  was  then  the  object  of 
Methodist  rebuke. 

"  '  We  confess  to  a  little  gazing  to  see  how  the  women 
dressed,  when,  lo  !  it  was  in  the  very  top  of  the  fashion, 
their  bonnets  as  lofty  and  as  blooming  with  artificials, 
their  hoops  as  expanded,  their  hair  as  elaborately  orna- 
mented, and  their  whole  style  and  appearance  quite  as 
worldly  as  they  are  in  oar  most  fashionable  circles.  Such 
dressy  Methodists  as  these  !  Why,  not  a  man  or  a  wo- 
man of  them  could  have  passed  the  door  of  a  love-fesst 
fifty  years  ago.  They  would  have  been  doomed  together 
to  the  lake  of  fire.  The  ofiiciatiug  clergyman  seemed  a 
modest,  good  man ;  but  where  was  his  Quaker  suit,  his 
drab,  round  coat,  his  long  vest,  hanging  on  the  hips,  or  his 
studied  peculiarity  in  equipage  and  appearance  ?  And 
this  lofty  exterior  structure  of  hewn  stone,  this  towering 
steeple,  this  pealing  organ,  resounding  the  praise  of  God 
in  notes  of  operatic  power ;  why,  the  Methodists  of  our 
young  days  would  have  scouted  ye  all  as  the  abomination 
of  desolation  standing  in  the  holy  place. 

"  '  In  putting  the  two  ends  of  this  Methodist  half  cen- 
tury together,  the  contrasts  rising  to  our  view  seem  more 
like  those  of  a  thousand  intervening  years  than  of  so 
brief  a  period.  And  when  we  look  beyond  the  sanctuary 
to  those  pret'^-ntious  Methodist  universities  dotting  the 
land,  this  show  of  learning,  these  professors,  doctors  of 
divinity,  contests  for  place  and  power  under  the  Govern- 
ment, and  in  the  high  places  of  society,  and  compare  them 
with  the  simple,  uneducated  people,  who  appear  as  their 
ancestors  in  the  past  age  or  two,  we  are  overwhelmed. — 
Whence  comes  this  mighty  change  ?  Nine-tenths  of  this 
young  brood  of  ministero  know  not  the  bird  that  hatched 
them.    '  They  forget  the  rock  from  which  they  were  hewn, 


FUEK   METHODIST  CHURCH. 


39 


and  the  hole  of  the  pit  whence  they  were  digged.'  They 
liave,  they  can  have  no  such  appreciation  of  their  antece- 
dents fifty  years  ago,  as  flit  before  our  youthful  memories. 

" '  But  the  saddest  of  all  is  the  decay  of  spiritual  pow- 
er. Well  do  we  remember  the  remark  of  a  plain,  hard- 
working class  leader,  nearly  fifty  years  ago,  that  the  Meth- 
odists would  fall  away  like  other  denominations,  and  when 
they  did,  their  peculiar  power  would  pass  to  other  hands, 
to  leave  them  a  nonentity,  in  all  except  exterior  show. — 
Has  this  singular  prediction  come  to  pass?'" 

"  Undoubtedly  it  has. 

"  But  no  farther  proof  of  the  apostacy  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  need  be  sought,  than  the  silence  of  her 
warmest  advocates  on  the  subject  of  h&v present  spiritual- 
ity, while  at  the  same  time  they  acknowledge  her  spirit- 
uality in  former  days.  The  Rev.  G.  Peck,  in  a  semi-cen- 
tennial sermon  to  which  we  have  already  referred,  may  be 
cited  as  an  example  in  point.  This  sermon,  though  evi- 
dently intended  as  a  eulogy  upon  the  church,  rather  than 
as  an  impartial  review  of  her  past  history,  presents  no  evi- 
dence of  the  wonderful  progress  and  pre-eminently  high 
standing  he  claims  for  hev,  except  what  is  found  in  an  in- 
crease of  numbers,  wealth,  education,  refinement,  social 
position,  worldly  infiuenoe,  and  the  like,  which  he  certain- 
ly would  have  presented  had  the  facts  in  the  case  been 
such  as  to  justify  it.  Could  he  have  said  that  the  church 
was  '  growing  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Sa 
vioiir,  Jesus  Christ,'  how  much  it  would  have  been  to  his 
purpose,  and  now  gladly  would  he  have  availed  himself 
of  the  advantage  thus  aflTorded  him.  But  if  no  evidence 
of  the  existence  of  any  spiritual  life  in  the  church  could 
be  found  for  the  occasion  of  a  semi-centennial  discourse, 
when  so  loudly  called  for ;  and  the  church-press  could 
«;verywhere  endorse  the  production  as  a  true  portrait  of 


40 


A    HISTORY   OF  THE 


the  chfiracter  and  condition  of  the  church,  as  it  actually 
has  done,  in  the  utter  absence  of  such  evidence;  it  is  clear 
no  such  evidence  exists." 

We  shall  not  formally  pursue  the  subject  of  the  falkn 
condition  of  the  Old  Church  any  farther.  Nor  need  we. 
If  any  doubt  of  the  fact  still  remains,  it  can  but  be  re- 
moved as  we  proceed  to  trace,  as  we  shall  now  do  more 
directly,  the  particular  circumstances  under  which  the 
Free  Methodist  Church  arose,  and  the  way  the  Old 
Church  has  treated  her  during  the  short  period  of  her  ex- 
istence. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


"My  kingdom,"  says  the  Saviour,  "is  not  of  this 
world" — not  of  a  worldly  or  temporal,  but  of  a  sj)iritual 
character.  It  is  spiritual  in  its  subjects,  in  its  govern- 
ment, in  its  associations  and  pursuits — constituting  the 
people  of  God  "  a  peculiar  people."  "  Wherefore  come 
out  from  the  world,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith  the  Lord, 
and  I  will  receive  you." 

This  docs  not  imply  secession,  in  form.  Much  less  that 
we  shall  literally  go  out  of  the  world  ;  but  simply  that 
we  shall  liave  no  intercourse  with  it,  except  for  purposes 
of  business,  benevolence,  and  evangelization — notliing  by 
way  of  mere  sociability,  or  the  cultivation  of  the  world's 
friendship,  since  this  "  is  enmity  with  God."  So  Christ, — 
"  I  pray  not  that  thou  shouldest  take  them  out  of  the 
world,  but  that  thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil." 
The  idea  is  that  we  are  to  "  have  no  fellowship  with  the 
unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but  rather  reprove  them." 

Here  is  where  the  Free  Methodists  have  stood  from  the 
beginning.  The  one  great  object  of  their  lives  has  been 
to  be  good,  and  do  good.  And  for  this  they  have  been 
hated,  and  persecuted,  and  excommunicated  where  they 
belonged  to  the  Old  Church ;  until  compelled  to  rally 
their  forces,  and  go  into  a  new  church  organization,  and 
are  now  being  spread  abroad  over  the  length  and  breadtk 
of  the  land. 

This  people  took  their  rise  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Genesee  Conference,  where  the  hand  of  an  over-ruling 
Providence  had  for  some  time  been  preparing  the  way. 
41 


42 


A    IIISTOKY    OV  IHK 


\\r.  Samiif!  K.  J.  ('ht  sImuhoIi.  from  wliosf  account  of 
ihe  iii;UtiM-  we  >liall  (|iiolf  >o)ne\vliat  laroely,  Pays:  "The 
.liftiruliif s  (it  tlip  •iffiPMc  ('(_)iilVi-cii<'e  li:i<l  tlieir  origin 
some  vcHi's  aoii.  ill  I  lie  .■uiiim-cI  ion  of  si  \er;il  of  its  more 
[iioinineiit  preacher*  v\  itli  rlie  Feliows  ,tiid  Mas^ons. 

]Many  of  the  old  and  tried  members  of  the  church  remeni- 
liered  witli  horror  the  abduction  and  murder  of  Morgan  ; 
;iiid  they  could  not,  in  conscience,  give  their  support  to 
tljose  ministers  who  were  in  sympathy  and  fellowship 
with  the  perpetrators  of  that  atrocious  deed.  Some,  who 
refused  to  receive  the  sacraments  at  the  hands  of  these 
secret  society  ministers,  or  to  contribute  for  their  support, 
were,  under  various  pretexts,  cut  off  from  the  church. — 
Disunion  followed. 

"  To  check  these  evils,  a  pamphlet,  taking  strong  ground 
against  the  connection  of  Methodist  ministers  with  secret 
societies,  written  by  Rev.  C.  D.  Burlingham,  was  circu- 
lated in  the  Conference,  at  its  session  in  1848,  by  Rev. 
Eleazer  Thomas.  This  pamplilet  caused  at  once  a  great 
commotion.  The  secret  society  men  were  wonderfully 
excited.  Some,  now  occupying  prominent  positions  in  the 
church,  said,  if  they  had  to  leave  either,  tliey  would  leave 
the  church  before  'they  would  leave  tlie  lodge.'  The 
conservatives  were  greatly  alaimed.  They  begged  the 
offended  brethren  not  to  rend  the  church  in  pieces.  The 
secret  society  men  were  appeased  by  a  compromise  reso- 
lution, which,  as  thev  construed  it,  conceded  all  thev 
wished.  They  tlien  learned  a  lesson  which  they  have  not 
'  (•en  slow  to  profit  by,  that  all  they  had  to  do  to  carry 
their  ])oints  was,  to  stand  together  and  assume  a  threaten- 
ing attitude,  and  enough  'union  savers'  would  rally  to 
their  support  to  give  them  a  majority.  Around  this  nu- 
cleus, gathered  those  whose  religious  sympathies  and  ex- 
perience led  them  to  place  dependence  upon  worldly  poli- 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


cy  for  the  advancenn-iit  of  tin  uiii^rosrs  of  the  church. 
At  till'  1)1  i'nn~i-  .,nj".,v,.,i   1,)  liiiv.  secret  society, 

worldly  pulicx  |i:.ny.  U'  v.  r 'I'liDiims.  Around 

liini  railifd   llios.'   \n  im      ,>,|.al  ,l,.,.,,ly  svitl,    tl)e  do.'.- 

irine  of  i^<>lines^.  lau'j  ln  li\  i  lie  v|  ;,i,.i:ir-il«  i  he  i.:hurob. 
After  his  transfer  to  Culiiunila,  liie  Lord  rai^L•d  up  Revs. 
I.  C.  Kiugsley,  C.  D.  Bui  liiigliain,  and  L.  Stiles,  to4ead  on 
His  hosts ;  the  first  was  presiding  Elder  of  Niagara  Dis- 
trict, the  second  of  Glean,  and  the  third  of  (ienesee. — 
Camp-meetings,  which  had  been  revived,  were  kept  up 
with  increasing  usefuhiess;  Quarterly  jMeetings,  especially 
those  known  as  'General  Quarterly  Meetings,'  were  at- 
tended with  deep  interest;  and  the  work  of  full  salvation 
went  on  with  something  of  tlie  primitive  i\Iethodist  life 
and  vitality. 

"  At  the  Conference  hekl  two  years  since  at  Medina, 
the  secret-society  men,  now  know  n  as  the  l^uftalo  Regen- 
cy, or  regency  party,  to  the  number  of  some  thirty,  en- 
tered into  a  combination,  threatening  not  to  take  work 
unless  Kingsley  and  8tilos,  who  were  very  popular  among 
the  people — the  latter  es})eeially— were  removed  from  the 
cabinet.  Being  satislied  that  one  or  both  of  them  would 
be  removed,  they  asked  foi-  a  transfer  to  the  Cincinnati 
Conference,  which  was,  unliesila' inglx ,  granted.  In  their 
places  were  appointed  men  sn l>sei-\  lent  to  the  wishes  of 
the  regency  party.  The  PreMiling  Elder  of  Genesee  Dis- 
trict, at  one  of  the  tirst  Quarterly  .Meetings  he  held,  enter- 
tained, put  to  vote,  and  allowe(l  to  pass,  and  to  Ije  pub- 
lished as  '  Quarterly  Conference  Proceedings,'  a  preamble 
and  resolutions,  condemning  persons  of  the  opposite  party 
in  their  absence,  who  were  not  responsible  to  that  tribunal. 

"At  the  Conference  held  in  1857  at  Le  Roy,  an  issue 
was  made  between  the  opposing  parties,  upon  the  election 
of  the  Secretary  of  the  Conference.    Rev.  James  Fuller 


44 


A  HISTOKY   OF  THB 


was  elected  over  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  by  some  two  or  three 
majority. 

"Revs.  L.  C.  Kingsley  and  L.  Stiles,  at  the  request  of  :i 
large  number  of  preachers  and  people,  were  re-tiansfiM-rid 
to  the  Genesee  Conference.  This  occasioned  a  Presiding 
Elder  to  say,  '  If  these  men  come  back  we  are  in  for  a 
seven  years'  war.'' 

"  The  '  war  '  was  soon  commenced  by  presenting  a  bill 
of  charges  against  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  and  two  bills  of 
charges  against  Rev.  W.  C.  Kendall.  That  against  the 
former  was  proijecuted,  and  voted  sustained.  Those 
against  the  latter  were  deferred  for  want  of  time,  with  the 
assurance  that  they  would  be  prosecuted  the  next  year. 

"  Kingsley,  seeing  how  the  battle  was  going,  went  back 
to  the  Cincinnati  Conference.  Notwithstanding  these  ad- 
verse influences,  the  cause  of  holiness  advanced  in  the 
Conference  more  during  this  year  than  ever  before.  The 
camp-meetings  held  in  Genesee  and  Niagara  Districts, 
without  the  co-operation  of  the  Presiding  Elders,  were  the 
largest  and  most  successful  of  any  held  for  years  in  this 
region. 

"  The  regency  party  seemed  to  grow  more  and  more 
desperate,  and  for  months  before  Conference,  intimations 
were  given  out  that  those  most  prominent  in  getting  up 
and  sustaining  these  meetings  must  be  expelled.  In  the 
expressive,  though  not  very  elegant  language  of  a  regency 
preachei-,  '  Nazaritism,' — the  name  given  to  Methodism  in 
earnest—'  must  be  crushed  out ;  and  we  have  the  tools 

TO  DO  IT  WITH.' 

"  In  the  following  pages  you  have  an  account  of  the 
means  employed  to  carry  this  holy  purpose  into  execution." 

Here  follows  au  account  of  the  trial  of  Mr.  Roberts, 
condensed  somewhat,  in  regard  to  the  testimony,  from  the 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


45 


account  given  by  Mr.  Chesbroiigh,  yet  so  as  in  no  wise  to 
change  its  import  or  bearing. 

But  we  must  premise,  for  the  better  understanding  of 
the  matter,  that  Mr.  Roberts  had  previously  been  tried  for 
publishing  a  certain  article,  entitled,  "  New  School  Meth- 
odism " — pronounced  "guilty  of  immoral  conduct,"  and 
then  sent  on  to  a  charge !  We  shall  give  this  article — 
since  published  in  tract  form — entire  in  the  Appendix  of 
this  work,  that  the  reader  may  see  the  ground  of  his  con- 
demnation. 

And  now  for  the  trial : 

CHARGES  AXD  SPECIFICATIONS. 

CnAEGE. — I  hereby  charge  Baijamin  T.  Roberts  tcith  un- 
christian and  immoral  conduct. 

SPECIFICATIONS. 

First. — Contumacy :  In  disregarding  the  admonition  of 
this  Conference,  in  its  decision  upon  his  case  at  its  last 
session. 

Second. — In  republishing,  or  assisting  in  the  republish- 
ing and  circulation  of  a  document,  entitled,  "New  School 
Methodism,"  the  original  publication  of  which  had  been 
pronounced  by  the  Conference  unchristian  and  immoral 
conduct. 

Third. — In  publishing,  or  assisting  in  the  publication 
and  circulation  of  a  document,  printed  in  Brockport,  and 
signed  "  George  W.  Estes,"  and  appended  to  the  one  en- 
titled "  New  School  Methodism,"  and  containing  among 
other  libels  upon  this  Conference  generally,  and  upon  some 
of  its  members  particularly,  the  following,  to  wit : 

1.  "For  several  years  past  there  has  been  the  annual 
sacrifice  of  a  human  victim  at  the  Conference." 
.  2.  "  No  man  is  safe  who  dares  even  to  whisper  a  word 
against  this  secret  inquisition  in  our  midst." 


46 


A   HISTORY   OF  THE 


3.  "  Coinnion  crime  can  command  its  indulgence ; 
bankru])tcies  and  adulteries  are  venal  offences;  but  oppo- 
sition to  its  schemes  and  policies  is  a  mortal  sin — a  crime 
without  benefit  of  clersy." 

4.  That  "  The  same,  fifty  men  who  voted  Bro.  Roberts 
guilty  of  unchristian  and  immoral  conduct,  voted  to  re- 
admit a  Brotiier  for  the  service  performed  of  kissing  a 
young  lady." 

5.  That  "  Bro.  lloberts'  trial  was  marked  by  gross  in- 
iquity of  proceedings." 

6.  That  "  On  the  trial  a  right  which  any  civil  or  mili- 
tary court  would  liave  allowed  him,  was  denied." 

7.  That  "A  venerablfl  Doctor  of  Divinity  read  the 
*  auto-da  fe'  sermon,  \\  herein  he  consigned,  in  true  inquisi- 
torial style,  Jm-o.  Roberts'  body  and  soul  to  hell." 

8.  That  "Tliis  venerable  D.  D.  is  quite  efficient  in  em- 
barrassing elective  preachers  in  tlieir  work,  and  pleading 
them  to  hell  for  the  crime  of  preaching  and  writing  the 
truth." 

P.  That  "  There  is  a  cliaue  among  us,  called  the  '  Buffalo 
Alogency,'  conspiring  and  acting  in  secret  conclave,  to  kid- 
nap, or  drive  away,  or  proscribe  and  destroy,  by  sham 
trials  and  starvation  appointments,  every  one  who  has 
the  boldness  to  question  their  supremacy  in  the  Confer- 
ence." 

10.  That  "The  fearless  champions  of  true  Methodism 
arc  being  cloven  down  one  after  another  in  our  sight." 

11.  That  "  The  aforesaid  members  of  this  Conference 
are  a  monster  power,  which  is  writhing  its  slimy  folds 
ji.ronnd  tlie  church  of  God  and  crushing  out  its  life." 

1'kkky,  Oct.  11,  1858. 

(Signed,)  Daviu  Nichols. 

At  the  request  of  the  complainant,  Kev.  James  M.  Ful- 
ler was  appointed  to  assist  in  I  lie  jirosci-nt  ion  ;  subsequent 
Iv  lie\'.  Thomas  Carlton  was  added. 


FKKE   METHODIST  ("HUIH  II. 


47 


The  defendant  asked  that  lie  miglit  be  permitted  to  have 
as  counsel  a  member  of  another  Conference.  Bishop 
Janes  decided — Bishop  Baker  concurring — that  he  could 
not  go  out  of  the  Confere  nee  for  counsel.  He  then  re- 
quested that  Br.  Ives  might,  with  his  own  consent,  be 
transferred  to  this  Conference  to  assist  defendant  in  thi<i 
trial. 

Bishop  Janes  decided  that  the  right  to  make  a  transfer 
grew  out  of  the  right  to  make  appointments.  He  could 
not,  therefore,  make  a  transfer  lor  the  pui-pose  desired. 

Rev.  L.  Stiles  was  finally  appointed  to  assist  in  the  de- 
fence. 

Tlie  defendant  oftered,  if  the  complaint  would  be  with- 
drawn, and  the  action  be  removed  to  a  civil  court  where 
an  oath  could  be  administered,  and  witnesses  be  compelled 
to  testify,  to  give  good  security  for  the  payment  of  all 
costB  and  damages  that  might  be  recovered  against  him. 
He  requested  that  the  otter  might  go  upon  the  journal. — 
The  offer  was  declined,  and  the  request  refused. 

The  defendaTit  then  asked  that  the  venue  might  be 
changed  to  another  Conference,  and  that  he  might  be 
transferred  to  the  Oneida  Conference  for  this  purpose. 

In  support  of  this  reciuest,  Br.  Roberts  spoke  in  sub- 
stance as  follows  : 

"  Mk.  PKKSinENT  : — The  request  that  I  have  made  may- 
be an  unusual  one,  but  I  trust  you  will  see  that  it  is  not 
unreasonable.  I  am  entirely  willing  to  meet  everything 
that  I  have  done,  'mt  I  claim  that  I  am  entitled  to  a  fair 
and  impartial  trial.  It  is  a  wise  provision  of  the  law  of 
the  land,  that  the  '  venue  may  be  changed  to  another 
county,  when  the  defendant  conceives  he  cannot  have  a 
fair  and  impartial  trial  in  the  county  where  the  venue  is 
laid.' — Burrell's  Practice,  p.  141.  Such  is  the  state  of 
party  feeling  in  this  Conference,  t.hat  a  fair  and  impartial 
trial  is  entirely  out  of  the  '^^aestion.    It  cannot  be  had. — 


48 


A  HISTORY    OF  THE 


Men  have  ceased  to  act  from  the  convictions  of  their  own 
judgment;  the  voice  of  justice  cannot  be  heard  amid  the 
clamor  of  partizan  strife.  Tlie  party  opposed  to  me,  by- 
threatening  to  make  disturbance,  have  obtained  the  con- 
trol of  four  out  of  five  of  the  Districts ;  this  has  given 
them  a  clear  majority  in  the  Conference.  Questions  are 
not  decided  according  to  their  merits,  but  according  to 
their  party  bearings.  Their  secret  meetings  keep  them 
together ;  as  the  leader  go,  all  go. 

"  Thus,  during  the  trial  at  the  last  session,  a  motion 
made  by  a  friend  of  mine  was  promptly  voted  down  by  . 
the  regency  party.  One  of  their  leaders  then  renewed 
the  motion,  and  said  a  few  words  to  the  efiect  that  the 
motion  was  about  the  thing.  No  additional  light  was 
slied  upon  the  question.  The  same  men  voted  for  it  that, 
but  a  few  moments  before,  raised  their  hands  against  it. — 
So,  during  tlie  ])resent  session,  upon  the  question  of  the 
admission  into  full  connection  of  a  brother  who  is  sup" 
posed  to  belong  lo  our  side  of  the  house,  the  vote  was 
taken,  and  hv  w  as  jxjected  by  the  usual  majority.  Before 
the  Bishop  had  time  to  announce  the  decision,  a  brotlier 
obtained  tlie  floor  and  re-opened  the  discussion.  Mean- 
while tlie  leaders  of  the  regency  came  in,  and  said  they 
should  go  lor  liini;  they  brought  forward  no  new  facts  or 
reasons,  but  up  went  all  hands  in  his  favor.  We  have 
seen  so  much  of  this,  that  we  cannot  forbear  applying  to 
them  the  words  of  Cowper  : 

"With  pack-horse  constancy  they  keep  the  road, 
Crooked  or  straight,'  o'er  quags  or  thorny  dells, 
True  to  the  jingling  of  their  leader's  bells." 

"  A  matter  of  thit<  magnitude  should  never  be  allowed 
to  be  settled  according  to  the  preponderance  of  this  or 
that  party.  It  is  of  more  importance  that  justice  should 
be  done,  than  that  precedents  should  be  followed. 

"  I  should  not  be  at  all  surprised  if  this  trial  had  already 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


49 


been  decided  in  the  secret  meetins^s  of  those  who  com- 
priee  a  majority  of  the  Conference.  I  know  it  will  be  de- 
nied ;  it  has  been  repeatedly  denied  that  my  case  was  pre- 
judged last  year. 

"  Yet  I  have  been  recently  told  by  a  member  of  the 
regency  party,  that  he  had  no  idea  that  any  cha"ges  would 
have  been  presented  last  year,  had  they  not  felt  satisfied, 
from  action  taken  in  their  secret  meetinga,  that  my  con- 
demnation would  be  secured.  Sir,  I  am  not  willing  to  be 
tried  by  men  who  are  capable  of  pui-suing  such  a  course. 
Their  decision  cannot  command  respect. 

"I  look  upon  this  whole  matter,  last  year  ?.nd  this,  as  a 
wanton  persecution,  it  is  deemed  necessary  to  the  suc- 
cess of  the  party  to  injure  ray  standing,  and  ciipple  my 
influence  to  the  fullest  extent  possible. 

"I  had  nothing  to  do  whatever  with  writing  or  pub- 
lishing the  pamphlet,  signed  G.  W.  Estes.  It  was  written 
and  published  without  my  knowledge  or  consent.  It  con- 
tains some  things  that  I  never  approved  of.  It  went  into 
circulation  without  my  agency.  Had  I  been  in  my  grave, 
it  would  probably  have  been  circulated  more  extensively 
than  it  has  been.  I  am  Avilling  to  bear  my  own  sins,  but 
I  do  not  consent  to  be  made  a  scape-goat  to  bear  the  sins 
of  this  Conference. 

"  Whoever  I  should  be  tried  by,  if  at  all,  1  certainly 
should  not  be  by  them.  Everything  indicates  that  an  oc- 
casion is  sought.  It  is  time  that  a  stop  was  put  to  these 
partisan  prosecutions." 

The  Chair  decided  that  a  transfer  for  the  purpose  of 
trial  could  not  be  made.  "  The  Discipline  makes  preach- 
ers responsible  to  the  Conferences  to  which  they  belong." 

The  defendant  then  asked  that  he  might  be  tried  by  a 
oommittee,  according  to  the  provision  of  the  Discipline. 
—Part  I.,  Ch.  X.,  Sec.  2.,  p.  93. 

He  said,  *'  Mr.  President :  Since  J  cannot  be  tried  by 


50 


A   HIS'i'OKV  Oh'  lUii 


impartial  and  unprejudiced  men,  it  seems  to  me  tiiat  I 
have  a  right  to  ask  to  be  tried  by  a  committee,  so  small 
that  each  man  comjjosing  it  will  feel  a  high  degree  of  per- 
sonal responsibility  for  the  decision  he  may  make.  It  is 
well  known  that  men  often  do  in  a  body  what  they  would 
scorn  to  do  as  individuals.  They  hide  themselves  in  each 
other's  shadow.  Socrates  was  wont  to  say,  that  though 
every  man  in  Athens  were  a  philosopher,  an  Athenian  as- 
sembly would  still  be  little  better  than  a  mob.  In  large 
bodies  reason  and  judgment  often  give  place  to  party  zeal 
and  prejudice.  I  would  rather  be  tried  by  a  committee 
composed  entirely  of  men  of  the  oj)posite  side,  than  by 
the  Conference  in  its  present  condition.  I  would  be  will- 
ing to  leave  it  to  the  Presiding  Elders,  though  all  but  one 
are  opi)osed  to  us.  I  Avould  have  this  trial  go  on  now,  in 
just  as  public  a  manner  as  though  it  were  before  the  en- 
tire Conference. 

"Another  reason  why  this  case  should  not  go  before  the 
Conference  is  this  :  It  is  alleged  that  some  members  of 
this  body  ai-e  specially  injured  in  their  individual  charac- 
ter by  the  publication  complained  of.  They  have,  then,  a 
deep  personal  interest  in  the  issue  of  this  trial.  Though 
they  do  not  appear  in  the  complaint,  yet  they  are,  in  real- 
ity, parties  in  the  case. 

"  Now,  Sir,  it  is,  I  believe,  a  well  established  principle, 
prevailing  wherever  the  right  of  trial  by  jury  prevails, 
that  no  one  can  sit  as  judge  or  juror  in  a  case  in  which 
he  is  personally  interested.  It  has  been  decided  that  if  a 
positive  statute  should  give  this  right,  sni-h  enactment 
M  ould  be  null  and  void. 

"  If  the  say  that  a  man  shall  be  a  judge  in  his  own 
cause,  such  law  being  contrary  to  natural  equity,  shall  be 
void,  for  "jura  naturae  sunt  immutabilia.''  They  are  '  leges 
legum.'  That  is,  '  natural  rights'  are  immutable.  '  They 
are  the  laws  of  laws.'— Hobart's  Report,  p.  87. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


51 


"This,  Sir,  is  the  equitable  provision  of  the  common 
law;  and  shall  the  plainest  principles^  of  justice  be  set 
aside  in  an  ecclesiastical  investigation?  Here,  if  any- 
where, we  ought  to  look  for  the  most  perfect  impartiality. 
Every  precaution  should  be  taken,  that  can  be  taken,  to 
have  the  question  settled  according  to  its  merits.  I3ut  if 
the  Conference  decides  it,  it  will  be,  I  am  satisfied,  by  a 
party  vote.  My  request  is  certainly  reasonable.  If  breth- 
ren wish  me  to  have  anything  like  a  fair  trial,  they  can- 
not refuse  it." 

James  M.  Fuller  opposed  letting  the  case  go  before  a 
committee.  He  said  a  "  committee  would  be  as  partisan  as 
the  Conference.  Is  it  true  that  this  body  of  professed 
ministers  are  so  actuated  by  party  zeal  hat  a  fair  trial 
cannot  be  had  ?  " 

A.  Kendall:  "  Can  we  do  less  than  grant  the  request  of 
Bro.  Roberts?  Nine  or  twelve  old  inenil)0!s  would  cer- 
tainly give  a  more  judicious  and  ini])arti;il  verdict  than 
the  Conference,  in  the  present  state  of  nai  ly  feeling." 

Dr.  Lucky  :  "  I  am  in  favor  of  iKiving  tliis  ease  go  to  a 
committee.  It  should  have  gone  to  one  in  the  lirst  ])]ace. 
It  never  ought  to  have  been  brought  here  in  its  present 
form." 

H.  Ryan  Smith:  "You  cannot  find  nine  or  fittocn  men 
who  will  be  willing  to  take  the  res])onsibility  of  deciding 
this  case.  They  would  feel  crushed  under  it.  I  do  not 
believe  that  a  majority  of  this  Conference  caii  be  brought 
to  do  wrong.  Party  lines  are  clearly  drawn,  yet  I  mean 
to  do  right." 

T.  Carlton :  "  Reference  has  been  made  to  secret  meet 
ings,  and  the  trial  of  last  year.  I  did  not  attend  a  secret 
meeting  at  Le  Roy.  We  had  select  meetings,  but  there 
were  no  votes  taken  to  condemn  Bro.  Roberts.  The  vote 
was  that  Bro.  Roberts  should  have  a  fair  trial.  Reflec- 
tions have  been  made  upon  this  Conference.    The  trial 


62 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


should,  therefore,  be  public,  in  this  church.  It  should  not 
go  to  a  committee." 

B.  T.  Roberts :  "  I  have  stated  that  I  wanted  the  trial 
to  be  public;  I  do  most  earnestly.  I  should  be  unwilling 
to  have  it  go  to  a  committee,  if  it  could  not  be  just  as 
public  as  though  the  entire  Conference  should  vote  upon 
the  case.  If  it  goes  before  a  committee,  they  will  feel 
bound  to  listen  patiently  to  the  testimony,  and  examine 
the  case.  If  the  Conference  proceed  to  try  it,  many  of 
the  members  will,  I  fear,  do  as  some  did  last  year,  be  ab- 
sent while  the  testimony  is  being  taken,  but  be  on  hand  to 
vote,  without  having  heard  the  evidence  which  should 
control  their  votes.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  it  repeatedly  said 
by  brethren  of  the  other  side,  that  they  had  no  secret 
meetings  at  Le  Roy.  What  do  they  mean  ?  How  can 
they  hazard  such  assertions?  I  will  read  the  minutes  of 
one  of  these  meetings.  They  came  into  my  hands 
providentially,  in  an  honorable  manner ;  but  how,  no  one 
will  know  : 

"  '  Le  Roy,  Sept.  3d,  1857. 
Meeting  convened,  according  to  adjournment.  Broth- 
er Parsons  in  the  chair.    Prayer  by  Bro.  Fuller. 

"'Brethren  present  pledged  themselves  by  rising,  to 
keep  to  themselves  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting. 

"  '  Moved,  That  we  will  not  allow  the  character  of  B. 
T.  Roberts  to  pass,  until  he  has  had  a  fair  trial.  Passed. 

"  '  Moved,  That  we  will  not  pass  the  character  of  Rev. 
W.  C.  Kendall,  until  he  has  had  a  fair  trial.  Passed, 

"  '  Moved,  That  Bro.  Carlton  be  added  to  the  commit- 
tee on  Bro.  Kendall's  case.  Passed,' 

"  Thus,  it  seems  that  secret  meetings  were  really  held. 
This  secret  conclave  assumed  to  act  in  a  judicial  manner 
upon  the  cases  of  absent  brethren.  The  promise  to  give 
them  a  'fair  trial,'  means  the  same  as  the  promise  of  the 
Administration  to  give  the  people  of  Kansas  a  fair  elec- 


FRKK  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


53 


tion  under  Border  Ruffian  s^vay.  What  right  had  this 
conclave  to  say  that  any  brother  should  have  any  trial  at 
all  ?  Their  action  rendered '  a  fair  trial,  impossible.  Thus 
you  see  I  have  good  reasons  for  not  wishing  to  be  tried 
by  these  men.    Give  me  a  committee." 

Dr.  Luckey :  "  I  think  the  case  should  by  all  means  go 
to  a  committee." 

The  defendant  then  entered  the  following  objections: 
"  I  object  to  any  member  of  this  Conference  sitting  up- 
on this  trial  as  a  juror,  who  feels  himself  personally,  in 
his  individual  character,  libelled  by  the  article  complained 
of.  I  also  object  to  any  person  sitting  upon  the  ti-ial  as 
juror,  who  has  taken  any  action,  or  participated  in  any 
action  upon  this  case,  in  any  secret  or  public  meeting,  or 
who  has  expressed  his  opinion  in  i-egard  to  the  merits  of 
the  case." 

Decision  of  Bishop  Janes  :  "  Bro.  Roberts  has  requested 
the  Chair  to  exclude  from  the  Conference,  during  the  trial, 
those  members  who  claim  to  be  specially  and  individually 
libelled  in  the  article  complained  of  in  the  specifications. 
Our  answer  is,  The  Chair  does  not  organize  or  appoint 
this  court.  The  Discipline  appoints  it.  And  whatever 
may  be  our  convictions  in  the  case,  we  judge  we  have  no 
authority  to  say  that  any  member  of  the  Conference  shall 
not  sit  or  vote." 

Accordingly,  the  accused  being  denied  the  right  of 
choice  of  counsel,  of  change  of  venue,  and  of  challenge 
for  cause — a  right  secured  to  the  defendant  in  all  criminal 
courts,  whether  civil  or  ecclesiastical,  as  well  as  by  legal 
guarantees,  as  by  the  law  of  usage,  among  civilized  na- 
tions— was  bronght  before  the  Conference  and  the  trial 
proceeded. 

In  looking  over  the  bill  of  charges  and  specifications 
preferred  against  Mr.  Roberts,  (as  seen  above,)  it  will  ap- 


54 


A  HISTORY  OF  THB 


pear  that  the  charges,  or  charge  rather,  turned  wholly  up- 
on one  single  specification — "the  re-publishing  and  circu- 
lation of  '  New  Scliool  Methodism,'  with  a  certain  other 
document  appended,' "—and  that  tliis  specification  also 
turned  upon  a  single  witness,  contradicted  and  impeached 
at  that.  The  witness  referred  to  was  the  Rev.  John  Bow- 
man, and  here  is  his  testimony  : 

Rev.  John  Bowman  called,  and  said  :  "  I  have  seen  this 
document  entitled  '  New  School  Methodism,'  and  '  to  whom 
it  may  concern,',  signed  George  W.  Estes,  before.  I  first 
saw  it  in  the  cars,  between  Medina  and  Lockport.  Bro. 
Roberts  preseated  it  to  me ;  several  wei-e  presented  in  a 
package;  there  were,  I  think,  three  dozen.  Bro.  Roberts 
desired  me  to  leave  a  portion  of  them  with  Bro.  Cox,  or 
Bro.  Williams,  of  Medina,  provided  I  fell  in  company  with 
them.  I  put  a  question  to  him  whether  they  were  to  be 
distributed  gratuitously,  or  sold.  He  said  he  would  like 
to  get  enough  to  defray  the  expense  of  printing,  but  cii-- 
culate  them  any  how.  He  desired  me  not  to  make  it 
known  that  he  had  any  agency  in  the  matter  of  circula- 
ting the  document,  if  I  could  consistently  keep  it  to  my- 
self. I  do  not  know  that  anything  more  was  said  about 
the  payment  of  printing  them ;  my  recollections  is  not 
very  distinct.  He  mentioned  he  had  been  at  considerable 
expense." 

Mr.  George  W.  Estes  called,  and  testified  as  follows : — 
"  Bro.  Roberts  had  nothing  to  do  with  publishing,  or  as- 
sisting in  publishing,  the  document  under  consideration, 
to  my  knowledge,  and  I  claim  to  know.  He  had  nothing 
to  do  with  the  writing  of  the  part  that  bears  my  name  ;  I 
do  not  know  that  he  had  any  knowledge  that  its  publica- 
tion was  intended.  He  never  gave  his  consent  that  the 
part,  entitled  '  New  School  Methodism,'  should  be  repub- 
lished by  me,  or  any  one  else,  to  my  knowledge.  He  was 
never  responsible  for  its  publication,  in  whole  or  in  part. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


55 


He  never  contributed  anything  to  the  expense  of  its  pub- 
lication. I  never  sold  any  to  him  ;  I  never  forwarded  him 
any;  I  never  gave  orders  to  any  one  to  forward  Br.  Ro- 
berts any,  to  my  knowledge.  I  alone  am  responsible  for 
its  publication." 

Now,"  supposing  these  two  witnesses — one  for,  and  the 
other  against,  Mr.  Roberts — were  equally  credible,  the 
testimony  of  Mr.  Bowman  would  be  completely  neutral- 
ized by  that  of  Mr.  Estes;  the  elFect  of  Avhich  must  be 
the  vindication  of  Mr.  Roberts  from  the  slightest  imputa- 
tion from  guilt.  But  we  are  not  quite  done  with  the  case. 
It  remains  to  bring  out  the  triumphant  impeachment  of 
Mr.  Bowman's  character  for  truth  and  \cracity,  showing 
that  his  testimony,  even  though  uncontradicted,  goes  for 
absoluteh'  nothing.  The  subject  of  ini[)eaclnnent  has  re- 
spect to  wliat  he  said  upon  the  floor  of  Conference  in  1857, 
concerning  the  Rev.  L  C.  Kingsley : 

Rev.  J.  Bowman  called : 

"  Ques.  Do  you  remember  making  a  speech  on  the  Con- 
ference floor  in  favor  of  Bro.  Kingsley  ? 

"  Ans.  I  stated  that  he  was  not  entirely  destitute  of 
some  things  that  might  be  praiseworthy. 

"Ques.  Did  any  one  come  out  of  Conference  and  say, 
You  must  take  back  what  you  said  in  his  favor,  or  you 
would  rue  it  ?    Was  any  threat  made  to  you  ? 

"  Ans.  I  cannot  say  there  was. 

"  Rev.  Wm.  Barrett  called,  and  said  :  '  Bro.  Bowman 
eaid  he  had  been  threatened  if  he  did  not  take  back  what 
he  had  said  in  favor  of  Kingsley  on  the  Conference  floor.' 

"Rev.  R.  E.  Thomas  called:  '  Bro.  Bowman  told  me  at 
the  Medina  Conference,  that  a  member  of  the  Conference 
said  to  him,  if  he  did  not  take  back  what  he  liad  said  in 
reference  to  Bro.  Kingsley  on  the  Conference  floor,  he 
would  rue  it.' 

"Revs,  S.  C.  Church  and  P'urman  testified  the  same." 


A   HT8TOKY   OF  THK 


But  in  tlie  following  letter  of  this  same  John  Bowman, 
we  will  let  him  cut  his  own  throat,  that  the  action  of  the 
Genesee  Conference  in  the  expulsion  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Rob- 
erts from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  may  be  seen  to 
have  been  based  upon  the  testimony  of  a  dead  man ! 

Medina,  April  23,  185Y. 

"  Dear  Bed.—  It  is  evident  there  Avas  a  certain  clique 
formed  prior  to  our  last  Conference,  for  the  purpose  of  ef- 
fecting a  change  in  the  cabinet.  But  I  was  not  invited 
to  attend  any  of  the  meetings  till  during  the  session  of 
the  Conference.  It  was  said  that  that  meeting  was  a  peace 

measure,  and  the  names  of  W  ,  D  ,  and  F  , 

were  to  be  presented  to  the  Bishop  as  suitable  pei-sons  for 
tlie  office  of  Presiding  Elders.  In  a  thoughtless  moment 
I  put  ray  name  to  the  paper.  That  fatal  transaction,  I 
have  reason  to  regard  as  the  great  mistake  of  my  life.— 

*    *    *    The  case  of  Bro.  K  came  up  in  Conference, 

and  I  felt  myself  called  upon  to  repel  some  of  the  vitu- 
perations which  were  thrust  against  him.  After  this  I  was 
frequently  notified  that  I  must,  in  open  Conference,  take 

back  all  that  I  had  said  for  Bro.  K  ,  or  I  must  forever 

be  proscribed.  These  threats  settled  me,  and  I  remain 
settled.  A  certain  minister  who  has  been  stationed  in 
Medina  more  than  three  years,  approached  me  soon  after 
Conference  closed,  and  said,  '  You  have  kindled  a  fire 
about  your  ears  which  will  not  be  easily  extinguished.' 

"  J.  Bowman."  , 

And  now  what  shall  we  say  ?  The  Genesee  Conference 
Iiave  condemned  Mr.  Roberts,  and  expelled  him  from  the 
church,  upon  the  above  showing  of  hiscase,  for  ^'■immoral 
conduct.''^  But  will  he  stand  condemned  on  these  grounds 
at  the  bar  of  public  opinion  ?  Doubtless,  a  verdict  of 
not  guilty''^  will  be  rendered  by  the  community;  and 
would  have  been  by  the  Genesee  Conference,  had  they  not 
had  other  ends  to  serve  than  those  of  justice  and  truth. 


CHAPTER  V. 


The  testimony  being  closed,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stiles,  coua 
sel  for  the  defence,  made  the  following  very  able  plea: 

PLEA  OF  REV.  L.  STILES. 

Mr.  CHAiRiiAX :  Indisposed  as  I  find  myself  at  this 
time  by  reason  of  a  severe  cold,  and  hence  disqualified  as 
I  feel  myself  to  speak  on  this  occasion,  it  is  exceedingly 
fortunate  for  Bro.  Roberts  that  such  is  the  nature  of  the 
case  before  us,  soon  to  be  submitted  to  the  action  of  this 
Conference,  that  he  needs  but  little  of  my  help.  Could 
we  all  be  dispossessed  of  prejudice,  arising  from  the  un- 
fortunate condition  into  which  we  are  plunged  by  reason 
of  the  party  issues  that  now  so  unhappily  divide  us  ; — 
could  we  be  turned  back  in  the  history  of  our  Conference 
but  a  few  brief  years ;  could  we  see  as  we  then  saw,  feel 
as  we  then  felt,  and  act  as  we  then  acted,  we  should  be 
now  ready,  with  the  testimony  before  us  as  we  now  have 
it,  notwithstanding  the  lengthy  speech  of  the  counsel  for 
the  prosecution,  in  which  he  has  twice  gone  over  the  Avhole 
ground  of  the  matters  of  complaint,  to  submit  the  case  to 
the  action  of  the  Conference  without  a  single  word  of  de- 
fence on  our  part.  In  so  doing  there  could  not  be  a  single 
doubt  as  to  the  result.  In  tlie  unprejudiced  judgment  of 
this  Conference  Bro.  Roberts  would  be  immediately,  fully, 
and  justly  acquitted  of  tlie  charge  alleged  against  him. 

I  confess  myself  not  a  little  surprised  that  a  charge  of 
this  ciiaracter  should  be  brought  against  the  defendant ; 
that  aiiythiui?  of  this  kind  should  be  introduced  to  further 


58 


A  HISTOKY  OF  THE 


distract  and  divide  our  Conference.  True,  I  had  heard 
months  ago  repeated  expressions  of  a  predetermination  to 
expel  several  of  the  leadins;  members  of  this  body.  It  has 
been  iterated  and  reiterated  through  the  Conference  that 
this  thing  must  2kndi  toould  be  done  at  this  Conference,  and 
tliat  Bro.  Roberts  was  one  of  the  number  thus  preordained 
to  be  expelled.  But  such  seemed  to  me  to  be  the  madness 
of  this  enterprise,  that  I  could  not  believe  it  would  be  en- 
tered upon.  But  it  seems  we  have  misjudged  either  the 
heads  or  the  hearts  of  these  men.  And  now,  as  we  are 
put  upon  our  defence  under  these  circumstances,  we  wish 
it  distinctly  understood  that  as  our  case  is  not  one  that 
calls  for  the  exercise  of  mercy,  we  ask  none  at  the  hands 
of  the  Conference,  If  worthy  of  death,  we  refuse  not  to 
die.  It  was  said  by  the  Counsel  of  the  prosecution  in  his 
opening  plea  with  reference  to  the  action  of  this  Confer- 
ence in  the  case  of  Bro.  Roberts  last  year,  that  "  he  was 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  Conference  by  the  exercise  of  the 
extreme  of  mercy."  This  we  positively  deny.  He  asked 
no  mercy  last  year,  he  only  asked  for  justice,  which  was 
not  granted  ;  and  all  he  asks  at  this  time  is  simply  jus- 
tice, which  if  granted  will  result  in  his  full  acquittal. 

We  fully  accord  with  the  sentiment  expressed  by  the 
counsel  for  the  prosecution,  that  "  important  interests  are 
pending  upon  the  issues  of  this  trial ;  that  they  will  ma- 
terially aifect  the  people,  and  the  harmony  of  our  Zion." 
This  is  unquestionably  true,  and  doubtless,  in  a  far  greater- 
degree  than  we  now  apprehend  !  Such  is  the  nature  of 
this  prosecution,  and  the  influences  wliich  have  induced  it, 
that  let  it  result  either  in  acquittal  or  condemnation,  it 
will  most  certainly  "  affect  the  people  and  the  harmony  of 
our  Zion."  It  is  well  for  us  to  keep  this  in  mind.  The 
people  understand  these  matters;  they  will  see,  and  judge, 
and  act  in  reference  to  them.  We  must  remember  that 
this  case  is  to  go  before  the  tribunal  of  the  people,  after 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUllCH. 


59 


it  is  passed  upon  by  this  Conference.  We  now  come  to 
remark  directly  upon  the  cliarge,  specifications  and  items. 
The  cliarge  is  :  "  Unchristian,  inn  nor  al  conduct.''''  A  very 
grave  charge,  indeed  !  Of  the  highest  grade  known  in 
our  ecclesiastical  courts.  This  fact  constituted  the  basis 
of  our  exception  to  the  prosecution  of  this  charge.  There 
is  evidently  a  design  in  the  manner  in  which  this  bill  is 
framed.  The  defence  is  charged  with  "  immoral  conduct," 
the  highest  grade  of  crime  known  in  our  ecclesiastical 
courts.  Had  he  been  guilty  of  theft,  adultery,  or  murder, 
the  charge  would  have  been  the  same.  But  the  specifica- 
tions, if  proved  to  be  true,  look  to  offences  of  a  very  dif- 
ferent grade,  bearing  no  likeness  as  to  moral  turpitude  to 
the  grade  mentioned  in  the  charge.  This  method  of  pro- 
ceeding is  most  unjust,  and  calculated  to  reflect  unfairly 
*nd  unjustly  upon  the  defence,  whether  acquitted  or  con- 
demned. Last  year  the  same  method  was  adopted  to  pre- 
judice and  damage  the  character  of  the  defendant.  He 
was  pronounced  guilty  of  immoral  conduct  for  the  crime 
of  writing  and  publishing  an  article,  all  of  which  he  of- 
fered to  prove  true,  but  was  barred  of  the  privilege.  And 
then  he  was  heralded  through  the  land,  through  the  col- 
umns of  the  Buffalo  Advocate,  as  guilty  of  "  immoral  con- 
duct." None  can  be  in  doubt  as  to  the  design  of  framing 
this  bill  thus. 

The  first  specification  under  this  grave  charge  is  "  con 
tumacy,"  in  disregarding  the  admonition  of  tliis  Confer- 
ence in  its  decision  upon  his  case  at  its  last  session. 

We  have  good  reasons  to  believe  that  the  defendant  did 
30t  regard  himself  as  acting  contumaciously  in  the  action 
objected  to  by  the  prosecution.  He  did  not,  and  others 
did  not,  understand  the  vote  of  the  Conference  of  last 
year  to  require  him  to  pursue  a  course  different  from  what 
he  has  taken,  or,  as  the  wording  of  the  Minutes  seem  to 
have  it,  "  pursue  a  better  course  in  the  future."    Or,  if 


r.o 


A    HISTOKY  OP  THK 


contumacy  be,  as  defiiied  by  tic  i  prosecuting  counsel, 
"  stul)bornnGss,  with  reference  to  submission  to  proper  or- 
der or  authority,"  it  is  yet  to  be- shown  that  defendant  haF 
manifested  such  stubbornness;  and  it  is  yet  to  be  shown 
tliat  he  has  not  "pursued  a  better  course."  But,  suppose 
it  to  be  granted  that  he  was  contumacious  in  refusing  to 
submit  to  the  admonition  of  the  Conference,  is  this  "  im- 
moral conduct "  ?  Is  this  a  crime  of  the  highest  grade  known 
in  tlie  calendar  of  crimes  ?  Can  we  in  justice  vote  this  broth- 
er guilty  of  "  immoral  conduct,''  for  the  offence  alleged  in 
this  specification  ?  Most  certainly  we  cannot  do  this,  and 
be  guiltless  ourselves. 

Second  Specification. — "  In  republishing,  or  assisting 
in  the  republication  and  circulation  of,  a  document  enti- 
tled '  New  School  Methodism,'  the  original  publication 
of  wliich  had  been  pronounced  by  this  Conference,  un- 
christian and  immoral  conduct." 

As  we  understand  it,  both  the  publication  and  circula- 
tion must  be  nroved,  to  sustain  the  specification.  Noth- 
ing is  made  out,  unless  both  are  proved.  Suppose  it 
were  proved  that  defendant  published  any  given  numbci.' 
of  said  documents,  and  it  could  not  be  proved  th^c  any 
number  of  them  ever  went  into  circulation  ;  or  suppose  it 
to  be  proved  that  none  of  them  were  ever  circulated,  what 
culpability  could  attach  to  the  mere  act  of  publication  ? — 
Now,  as  defendant  is  charged  with  both  publication  and 
circulation,  both  must  be  proved,  or  the  case  fails.  But 
both  are  not  proved;  so  far  from  this,  we  have  proved 
most  positively,  that  Bro.  Roberts  had  nothing  whatever 
to  do  with  the  publication  of  the  Estes  pamphlet,  or  the 
rej)ublicntioii  of  his  article  of  last  year.  The  author  of 
said  publications  has  here  testified  that  he  alone  was  re- 
sponsible for  said  publications ;  that  Mr.  Roberts  never 
in  any  way,  to  his  knowledge,  contributed  a  single  cent  for 
the  publishing  of  said  articles.    We  have  evidence  that 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


61 


Mr.  Roberts  did  not  even  know  of  the  intention  to  pub- 
lish said  articles.  Thus,  we  see,  while  the  charge  in  the 
one  limb  of  this  specification  proves  groundless,  the  other 
goes  by  default. 

Then,  too,  the  evidence  as  to  circulation  is  quite  inade- 
quate to  substantiate  the  specification.  It  rests  alone  on 
the  testimony  of  one  man ;  and  the  conversation  alleged 
to  be  had  wnth  reference  to  them  was  in  the  cars,  under 
circumstances  not  the  most  favorable  to  ascertaining  the 
truth  in  the  case.  He  testifies  that  defendant  put  three 
dozen  of  these  fly-sheets  into  his  hands,  and  requested  him 
to  hand  them  to  one  or  two  other  persons.  Suppose  we 
admit  this  to  be  true,  and  that  it  is  precisely  as  he  states 
it  to  be,  still  it  is  not  yet  proved  that  a  single  copy  of 
these  thirty-six  ever  went  into  circulation,  except  such  as 
were  circulated  by  said  witness.  No  evidence  appears 
whatever,  that  at  any  other  time,  or  under  any  other  cir- 
cumstances, defendant  ever  circulated  a  single  copy  of. 
the  fly-sheets.  A  local  preacher,  on  his  charge  of  the  past 
year,  with  whom  he  has  been  very  intimate,  testifies  that 
he  never  saw  one  of  said  sheets,  till  he  was  on  his  way  to 
this  Conference,  which  is  proof  pn  sumptive  that  he  did 
not  circulate  them,  or  he  would  have  been  quite  likely  to 
have  conveyed  one  to  the  bands  of  this  intimate  friend  and 
local  preacher. 

Let  it  be  distinctly  marked,  then,  that  all  the  evidence 
of  circulation  that  has  been  adduced  in  the  course  of  this 
long  investigation,  rests  upon  the  evidence  of  this  one 
single  witness,  under  the  circumstances  above  named. 

Let  it  be  marked,  also,  that  whatever  of  criminality 
there  may  be  in  the  act  of  circulating,  many  others  are  in 
the  same  condemnation,  and  equally  guilty,  if  not  more 
so.  "While  the  prosecution  has  failed  to  prove  that  a 
single  copy  ever  went  into  circulation  by  the  agency  of 
Bro.  Roberts,  we  have  proved  positively  that  others,  who 


6-2 


A  HISTORY    OF  THE 


are  in  opposition  to  Bro.  Roberts,  have  purchased  and  cir- 
cuhxted  numbers  of  ihem.  Bro.  Hopkins  has  testified  that 
he  has  purchased  two  dozen  of  them,  and  that,  too,  we 
suppose,  for  the  express  puri)ose  of  circulation.  Probably, 
half  or  more  of  the  members  of  this  Conference  are  guil- 
ty of  the  very  thing  alleged  against  Bro.  Roberts  in  this 
specification.  This  being  the  case,  we  would  ask,  Why 
tills  distinction  ?  Why  seize  upon  one  man  out  of  seven- 
ty-five, or  more,  who  are  equally  guilty  ?  Why  make 
him  the  scape-goat  to  bear  away  the  crimes  of  a  whole 
Conference  ? 

Tiie  answer  is,  it  has  been  predetermined  that  this  one 
man  must  go  out  of  the  Conference;  and,  while  all  others 
who  are  equally  guilty  are  held  as  guiltless,  he  must  be 
seized  upon  as  the  Conference  victim.  Then,  we  ask 
again,  Is  Bro.  Roberts  guilty  of  "  immoral  conduct?"  If 
so,  then  we  have  seventy-five  others,  all  members  of  this 
Conference,  guilty  of  "  immoral  conduct !  "  A  strange 
state  of  affairs,  indeed !  Half  of  the  Genesee  Conference 
guilty  of  "  immoral  conduct ; " — charges,  however,  for  the 
very  same  oflfense,  presented  against  only  one  of  this 
number ! 

Third  Specification. — "  In  publishing,  or  assisting  in 
the  publication  and  circulation  of  a  document  printed  in 
Brockport,  and  signed  Geo.  W.  Estes,  and  appended  to 
the  one  entitled  New  School  Methotlism,  and  containing, 
among  other  libels  upon  this  Conference  generally,  and 
upon  some  of  its  members  particularly,  the  following,  to 
wit :  " 

Under  this  specification  we  find  a  bill  of  items,  of  things 
written  in  the  Estes  pamphlet,  which  Bro.  Roberts  is 
charged  witli  circulating  and  publishing,  or  assisting  in 
so  doing.    The  proof  is  yet  wanting. 

This  specification  charges  libel  upon  the  defendant  in 
saying  things  included  in  this  bill  of  items. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


63 


Before  entering  upon  the  investigation  of  these  items, 
we  wish  to  repudiate  the  false  assumption  of  the  prosecu- 
ting counsel,  that  we  endorse,  as  a  whole,  the  assertions 
of  these  items,  or  the  document  from  Avhich  they  are  taken; 
or  that  we  do,  by  any  inference  or  implication,  acknowl- 
edge the  authorship,  or  confess  to  the  charge  of  publica- 
tion or  circulation,  simply  because  we  enter  upon  our  de- 
fense in  a  legal  and  legitimate  way.  By  what  strange 
reasoning  does  the  counsel  leap  to  such  a  forced  conclu- 
sion as  this?  Who  ever  heard  of  its  parallel  in  any  civil 
or  ecclesiastical  court  before  this  day  ?  This  is  a  mere  as- 
sumption of  the  counsel,  utterly  without  foundation,  war- 
rant, or  justification ;  a  subterfuge,  as  we  shall  see,  to 
serve  an  ei7c7,  and  to  C07npass  a  purpose* 

Here  we  wish  to  say  distinctly,  that  we  do  not  now  and 
never  have  endorsed  all  the  sentiments  of  the  Estes  pamph- 
let, from  which  these  items  are  taken.  Bro.  Roberts 
does  not  endorse,  in  the  literal  sense,  all  that  is  said  in 
these  items.  When  I  received  that  proof-sheet,  I  read  it 
till  I  came  to  paragraphs  which  I  did  not  believe  to  be 

^According  to  this  reasoning  the  defendant  must  confess  to  the  criminality  of  the 
charge,  or  the  court  must  presume  him  to  be  guilty  by  reason  of  his  presuming  to 
enter  upon  his  defense.  This  is  very  like  the  test  of  ancient  witchcraft,  where  the 
suspected  subject  was  proved  to  be  guilty,  if  he  presumed  to  make>for  the  shore  when 
thrown  into  the  water. 

The  prosecution  were  obliged  to  assume  this  ridiculous  position,  from  the  fact  of 
kaving  utterly  failed,  as  all  must  see,  to  either  fix  the  authorship  of  the  pamphlet  in 
question  upon  the  defendant,  or  to  prove  that  he  has  aided  in  the  publication  or  circu- 
lation of  the  same.  It  is  important  to  keep  in  mind  this  ridiculous  position  of  the  pros- 
ecution, from  the  fact  that  upon  this  most  senseless  .subterfuge,  the  defendant  was 
finally  condemned  and  expelled  from  the  Conference  and  the  Church,  on  the  charge 
of  "  unchristian  and  immoral  conduct !  " 

Either  this  must  be  confessed,  or  else  an  attitude  equally  uncomplimentary  to  the 
head  or  heart  of  the  prosecution,  and  one  not  less  farcical  and  sham-like,  is  forced  up- 
on them,  viz  :  That  of  convicting  the  defendant  of  "  unchristian  and  immoral  con- 
duct," and  of  expelling  him  from  the  Conference  and  the  M.  E.  Church  for  the  act 
(if  such  testimony  .-is  was  presented  were  allowed  to  be  valid  )  of  putting  a  three-dozen 
package  of  fly-sheets  into  the  hands  of  a  neighboring  preacher,  with  the  request  that 
he  hand  them  to  the  third  person.  And  this,  too,  when  perhaps  one-half  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Conference  were  equally  guilty. 


64 


A   HISTOUY   OF  THE 


literally  true,  sentiments  which  I  thought  better  never  be 
uttered,  reflections  upon  tlie  Bishops  wliich  I  believe  un- 
just; and,  hence,  I  put  said  proof-sheet  within  the  envel- 
ope, and  refused  to  i-ead  it  tlu'cui^h.  Rut  there  n7-e  senti- 
ments uttered  in  these  items,  which  we  believe  to  be  both 
strictly  true  and  important,  and  our  object  in  entering 
Kpon  a  defense  of  these  truths  will  be  most  ai)parent  be- 
fore we  conclude  our  remarks. 

The  first  item  says  :  "For  several  years  past,  there  liaa 
been  the  annual  sacrifice  of  a  human  victim  at  the  Con- 
ference." 

To  know  whether  the  declaration  of  this  item  is  true, 
we  should  understand  what  was  in  the  mind  of  the  author. 
What  is  to  be  understood  by  the  term  sacrrftced"  f  No 
one  believes  this  declaration  true  in  a  strictly  literal  sense. 
We  do  not,  of  course,  suppose  the  author  of  this  pami)hlet 
meant  to  say  that  a  "  human  victim  "  was  literally  annu- 
ally immolated  and  beheaded.  The  absurdity  of  sucii  an 
idea  is  only  equ;illed  by  the  view  taken  of  this  expre>sion 
by  the  piMseeution.  They  seem  to  have  nothing  else  in 
mind  but  a  )iione>/  sacrifice  JMouey^  mo/icy^  seems  to  be 
the  commo<lity  oi  jtaramount  im])ortance,  in  their  eyes. — 
Several  hours  have  been  spent  by  them  in  the  examination 
of  ^\•itllesses,  to  ))rove  that  ]nen  have  not  been  sacrificed 
in  a  money  point  of  view.  It-  is  concluded  that  one  man 
who  was  deemed  sacrificed,  in  the  sense  of  the  author  of  the 
sheet,  was  not  sacrificed,  because,  forsooth,  it  is  proved 
that  his  salary  at  the  time  under  question,  was  a  "  thous- 
and dollars  a  year,  and  his  house-rent.''  Character,  repu- 
tiition,  ministerial  standinp-,  and  Chi'istian  influence  are  all 
left  out  of  the  question  by  the  ])rosecution  !  These  are 
of  no  account;  they  are  ])assed  by  unnoticed.  The  only 
qtiestiou  of  importance  to  them  seems  to  be,  "  Did  you 
Bustain  a  loss  of  dollars  and  cents  ?  " 

Now,  we  hold  that  this  is  a  very  mean,  low  view  of  the 


FRBK  METHODIST  CHURCH.  65 

question — a  view,  probably,  which  never  entered  the  mind 
of  the  author  of  this  item,  and  would  only  be  entertained 
by  a  lover  of  Mammon.  If,  for  adherence  to  the  truth,  I 
were  turned  out  to  beg  from  door  to  door,  or  to  saw  wood 
for  my  daily  bread,  I  would  scorn  the  idea  of  talking 
about  being  sacrificed,  in  a  mere  money  point  of  view. — 
In  the  sense  designed  by  the  author  of  the  item,  we  have 
proved  conclusively  that  men  have  been  sacrificed.  In  a 
very  important  sense,  the  ministerial  reputation  and 
standing,  and  the  Christian  influence  of  certain  men  in 
this  Conference,  have  been  sacrificed  by  a  secret  combina- 
tion of  certain  other  men  in  this  Conference,  instituted  to 
crush  them  out,  and  drive  them  from  the  Conference. — 
Here,  then,  in  this  item,  is  no  libel,  for  what  is  said  is 
strictly  true,  in  the  sense  doubtless  designed  by  its  author. 

Are  we  then  prepared,  as  a  Conference,  to  vote  a  man 
guilty  of  "  immoral,  unchristian  conduct,"  for  the  act  of 
circulating  such  a  truth  as  this  ?  Who  dare  raise  his 
hand  to  pronounce  the  act  "  immoral  conduct?" 

The  second  item  of  this  specification,  importing  libel  to 
the  defendant,  is  the  following,  viz. :  "  No  man  is  safe, 
who  dares  even  whisper  a  word  against  this  secret  Inqui- 
sition in  our  midst." 

Here,  again,  we  have  to  remark  that  the  sense  of  the 
author  of  the  item  should  be  sought  for. 

Much  time  has  been  spent  by  the  prosecution,  in  the 
examination  of  witnesses,  to  prove  that  there  is  not  really 
a  literal  "  Inquisition "  in  our  Conference.  Well,  who 
ever  dreamed  there  was  ?  Who  ever  supposed  we  had 
the  literal  thing  among  us  ?  None  of  us  have  ever  sup- 
posed that  in  any  dark  corner  of  our  Conference,  we  had, 
under  bar  and  bolt,  enclosed  by  walls,  the  literal  dungeon, 
fire,  fagot,  rack,  thumbscrews,  and  gridirons.  Nothing  of 
this  kind  was  in  the  mind  of  the  author.  But  that  there 
is  something  in  our  midst  that  bears  a  strong  and  sharp 


66 


A.   HISTORY    OF  THE 


likeness,  image,  aiirl  superscription  to  the  spirit  of  the  In- 
quisition, who  will  presume  to  deny,  after  all  we  have 
seen  in  the  progress  of  this  trial  ?  When  we  see  what  we 
have  here — a  Presiding  Elder  going  around  with  his  little 
common-place  book,  picking  up  the  little  confidential 
wliisperings,  uttered  in  social  chit-chat,  and  bringing  them 
uj)  to  this  Conference,  and  presenting  them  as  bars  to  the 
admission  of  a  young  man  to  our  Conference — who,  we 
say,  in  view  of  this  and  many  other  things  of  a  like  na- 
ture we  have  been  called  to  witness,  will  say  the  author 
was  not  justifiable  in  the  utterance  of  the  sentimest  of 
the  item?  Who,  indeed,  will  feel  himself  safe  hereafter 
in  "  whispering  a  word  against  this  secret  Inquisition?" 
W^ho,  in  looking  at  what  we  believe  to  be  thejiieaning  of 
this  item,  can  vote  B.  T.  Roberts  guilty  of  "  unchristian 
ai  d  immoral  conduct,"  from  the  proof  adduced  of  circu- 
lating this  pamphlet  ?  This  cannot  be  done  in  righteous- 
ness or  ill  justice. 

Tiie  third  item  is  that  with  reference  to  "bankruptcies 
and  adulteries,"  being  "venal  offences"  in  the  eyes  of 
these  men  of  the  "  secret  Inquisition." 

As  we  have  already  announced  that  we  did  not  endorse 
all  the  language  of  all  these  items,  and  have  not  designed 
to  attempt  to  prove  or  justify  each  and  every  sentence 
and  sentiment  contained  therein,  we  will  remark  only  up- 
on that  clause  upon  which  testimony  has  been  brought  to 
bear. 

As  to  the  charge  of  bankruptcy,  the  case  upon  which 
testimony  has  been  adduced,  we  regard  as  proof  sufficient 
to  show  that  there  was,  at  least,  some  very  plausible 
grounds  upon  which  to  base  the  assertion,  and  justify  the 
charge.  True,  a  certificate  has  been  j)roduced,  showing 
that  a  disciplinary  investigation  was  had  in  the  case;  but 
we  have  evidence  to  show  that  at  least  three  of  the  injured 
creditors  knew  nothing  about  said  investigation  ;  that,  al- 


FEEE  METHOmST  CHURCH. 


67 


though  two  of  them  were  prominent  citizens  of  the  vil- 
lage ef  Lima,  where  the  investigation  was  had,  these  men 
were  wholly  ignorant  of  its  occurrence.  Here  is  a  strange 
feature  in  the  case  !  Does  it  not,  we  would  ask,  at  least 
look  in  the  direction  oi fraudulent  bankruptcy?  Then, 
too,  the  unwillingness  that  has  been  shown  by  members 
of  this  Conference  to  have  this  matter  looked  into,  is,  to 
saj'  the  least,  a  very  shabby  compliment  to  the  integrity 
and  intentions  of  the  parties  concerned.  As  will  be  re- 
membered, letters  were  presented  at  the  Medina  Confer- 
ence, purporting  to  convey  important  information,  concern- 
ing the  character  of  the  bankruptcy  of  Rev.  Wra.  H.  De 
P.  These  letters  were  from  the  hands  of  injured  parties, 
who  desired  redress,  if  redress  could  be  had.  The  re- 
quest was  made  that  these  letters  be  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee, that  should  be  appointed  by  the  Conference,  to  ex- 
amine their  contents,  with  the  express  understanding,  that 
if  the  grounds  «f  complaint  which  they  set  forth  we  re  un- 
worthy ef  Conference  action,  that  they  be  permitted  to 
slumber  in  the  hands  of  the  committee.  But,  strange  to 
say,  this  impartial  effort  to  secure  an  honorable  investiga- 
tion of  this  bankruptcy  was  treated  with  neglect,  the  com- 
mittee was  refused,  and  the  matter  passed  by  in  compara- 
tive silence.  With  these  facts  before  us,  we  ai-e  quite  will- 
ing to  leave  every  unprejudiced  mind  to  find  how  much 
and  how  good  grounds  there  are  for  the  charge  of  the 
item  under  consideration. 

Item  fourth  says :  "  The  same  fifty  men  who  voted  Bro. 
Roberts  guilty  of  'unchristian  and  immoral  conduct,'  for 
writing  the  above  article,  voted  to  re-admit  a  brother 
from  the  regions  round  about  Buffalo,  for  the  service  per- 
formed of  kissing  a  young  lady,  in  the  vestibule  of  the 
Conference  room,  during  the  progress  of  Bro.  Roberts' 
trial    '  !^ero  fiddled  while  the  martyrs  burned.'  " 

About  all  we  have  to  say  with  reference  to  this  item  is, 


68 


A   HISTORY  OF  THK 


we  suppose  it  to  be  highly  figurative,  and  from  respect  to 
the  feeling  of  the  person  implicated  as  having  kissed^  the 
girl,  for  the  consideration  named  in  tliis  item,  we  pass  it 
by  with  but  few  remarks.  Whether  .-idmission  to  this 
Conference  was  really  the  honu  fide  consideration  for  the 
service  performed,  I  have  no  special  means  of  knowing, 
and,  hence,  have  no  disposition  to  making  any  further  re- 
marks on  the  subject. 

The  fifth  item  reads  thus  :  "  Bro.  Roberts'  trial,  if  it  de- 
serves the  name  of  a  trial,  was  marked  by  gross  iniquity 
of  proceedings." 

The  grounds  of  this  charge  we  suppose  to  be  based,  not 
so  much  upon  the  mere  acts  of  the  trial,  in  the  court-room, 
as  upon  the  outside  connections  of  the  trial,  in  their  bear- 
ings on  the  actions  in  the  court-room. 

To  avoid  the  force  of  the  truth  of  this  item,  the  prose-' 
cuting  counsel  has  gravely  told  us  that,  "  We  have  noth- 
ing to  do  with  what  took  place  out  of  the  court-room. — 
We  have  only  to  do  with  the  actual  acts  of  the  trial."* — 
Could  this  position  be  granted,  it  would  certainly  be  a 
very  cheap  way  of  disposing  of,  to  the  prosecution,  a 
very  unpleasant  difficulty.  But  we  doubt  not  that  every 
unbiased  mind  will  decide  that  outside  influences  have 
very  much  to  do  with  t'l"?  integrity  of  the  acts  in  the 
court-room.  Suppose  an  empanneled  jury,  prior  to  taking 
their  places  in  the  jury-box,  to  enter  a  private  room,  and 
by  themselves  alone  there  discuss  in  any  way  the  merits 
of  an  important  criminal  case,  soon  to  be  brought  before 
them  for  decision.  Suppose  them  there  to  take  test  votes 
bearing  upon  the  case,  and  then  to  express  in  any  \vay 
their  opinions  relative  to  the  guilt  or  innocence  of  the 
criminal.  What,  we  would  ask,  would  be  said  of  such  a 
jury  ?    We  all  know  that  the  world  would  justly  brand 


*Scc  note  on  page  b3. 


FEBB  METHODIST  CHITKCH. 


69 


them  with  infamy.  They  would  well  deserve  the  contempt 
and  scorn  of  every  honest  man,  and  would  go  out  to  the 
world  marked  with  perfidy,  dark  as  that  which  stained 
the  Harden  County  Jury. 

But  what  less  than  this  criminality  do  we  see  in  the  ac- 
tion pertaining  to  the  trial  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  at  the 
Le  Roy  Conference  ?  Mark  the  parallel !  Here  we  see  a 
body  of  Methodist  Ministers  who  are  to  act  as  jurors  is 
the  trial  of  a  brother  preacher,  going  by  themselves  into 
a  private  room,  holding  a  secret  meeting,  to  all  intents  and 
purposes,  pledging  themselves  together,  to  "  keep  to  them- 
selves the  proceedings  of  the  meetingy  Then  after  discus- 
sion had  in  the  case,  taking  test  votes  bearing  upon  the 
case,  and  after  pledging  to  proceed  against  Bro.  Roberts, 
then  we  see  them  coming  into  the  court-room  and  acting 
in  perfect  accordance  with  the  votes  taken  in  the  secret 
meeting.  Now,  when  we  look  at  what  we  here  see,  these 
men  acting  in  a  sacredly  pledged  secret  meeting,  held  in  a 
private  room  over  Bryant  and  Clark's  store  in  Le  Roy,  there 
pre-judging  and  pre-enacting  in  the  case  of  Bro.  Roberts, 
and  then  coming  into  the  court-room  in  the  M.  E.  Church 
and  acting  as  they  did  then  and  there  act,  with  such  per- 
fect unanimity  that  in  voting  on  the  specifications  and  the 
charge,  there  was  hardly  the  variation  among  them  of  a 
hand,  more  or  less,  that  went  up  on  each  and  every  speci- 
fication and  the  charge.  When  we  connect,  we  say,  the 
transactions  of  these  two  I'ooms  and  these  two  meetings, 
and  compare  the  harmony  of  action  in  both  cases,  we 
would  ask,  how  dissimilar  are  these  transactions  to  those 
of  the  perjured  jurors,  to  whom  reference  has  been  made 
for  illustration?  And  we  would  ask,  with  how  good  a 
grace  does  the  prosecuting  counsel  say,  "  We  have  noth- 
ing to  do  with  what  took  place  out  of  the  court-room"? 
And  again  we  would  ask,  and  claim  an  answer  at  the  lips 
of  every  honest  man,  was  not "  Bro.  Roberts'  trial  marked 


70 


A  HISTOKY  OF  THB 


by  gross  iniquity  of  larocecdings  "  ?  And  for  saying  this, 
in  view  of  the  circumstances  we  have  brought  to  view  in 
tlie  case,  sliould  any  one  be  cliarged  with  either  unchris- 
tian or  immoral  conduct  ?    Most  certainly  not. 

Tlie  sixth  and  seventh  items  are  withdrawn,  for  reasons 
we  suppose  well  understood  by  the  prosecution. 

The  eighth  item  says  of  a  certain  "  venerable  D.  D." 
that  "  Though  nominally  superannuated,  <&c.,  he  is  never- 
theless quite  efficient  in  embarrassing  effective  preachers 
in  their  work  and  pleading  them  to  hell  for  the  crime  of 
preaching  and  writing  the  truth." 

I  suppose  the  author  of  this  item  fixed  his  mind  upon 
facts  which  have  transpired  in  this  Conference,  and  then 
said  just  what  he  believed  to  be  true. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  this  "  venerable  D.  D."  has 
been  quite  efficient  in  embarrassing  effective  preachers  in 
their  work. 

Three  successive  Conferences,  at  least,  preceding  the 
present,  liave  borne  witness  to  tlie  fact  that  this  "  vener- 
able D.  D."  has  been  chief  agent  in  "Bills  of  Informa- 
tion" and  "Bills  of  Cliarges"  against  effective  preachers, 
and  as  this  author  say^s,  so  doubtless  he  believed,  for 
"preaching  and  writing  the  truth."  Certainly  it  can  be 
iio  small  embarrassment  in  the  way  of  effective  men  of  the 
Conference,  to  have  an  annual  "Bill  of  Charges"  brouglit 
against  them  by  this  "  venerable  D.  D.,"  whatever  may  be 
the  result  of  the  investigation ;  and  certainly  these  men 
against  whom  charges  have  been  brought,  have  been  "ef- 
fective men,"  men  whose  labors  have  been  greatly  blessed 
of  the  Lord  ;  men  whose  labors  have  year  after  year  been 
followed  by  extensive  revivals  of  religion;  and  that  this 
"  venerable  D.  D."  did  plead  Bro.  Roberts  to  hell,  at  the 
Le  Roy  Conference,  in  the  paper  he  read  on  the  Confer- 
ence floor,  will  not  be  doubted  by  any  who  remember  the 
import  of  that  remarkable  document. 


FKBE  METHODIST  CHUKCH. 


71 


The  ninth  item  reads  thus :  "  There  is  a  clique  among 
as  called  the  '  Buffalo  Regency,'  conspiring  and  acting  in 
secret  conclave  to  kidnap  or  drive  away,  or  proscribe  and 
destroy  by  sham  trials  and  starvation  appointments,  every 
one  who  has  the  boldness  to  question  their  supremacy  in 
the  Conference." 

That  there  is  a  "  clique  among  us  called  the  '  Buffalo  Re- 
gency,' "  none,  I  think,  will  ever  hereafter  be  able  to  deny. 

It  seems  myself  had  the  honor  of  publicly  christening 
this  secret  clique.  I  was  not  aware  that  in  a  little  speech 
on  the  Olean  Conference  floor  I  was  doing  so  notable  an 
act.  I  had  frequently  heard  this  name  given  to  this  clique 
on  various  occasions,  but  never  dreamed  that  I  was  to 
have  the  distinguished  honor  of  first  pronouncing  in  pub- 
lic the  name  of  "  Buffalo  Regency." 

I  concede,  however,  that  it  is  clearly  proven  ;  for  the 
prosecution  have  called  on  witness  after  witness  to  prove 
that  they  first  lieard  the  name  spoken  by  myself  on  the 
floor  of  the  Olean  Conference. 

We  will  here  rest  the  important  question  as  to  the  pub- 
lic baptism  of  this  secret  clique  called  the  "  Buffalo  Re- 
gency." The  name  is  conceded.  Now,  that  Ave  have  the 
veritable  thing  for  the  design  specified  in  the  item,  we 
have  clearly  shown  by  many  witnesses. 

The  efforts  made  by  the  prosecution  to  prove  there  is 
not  an  actual  organization  claiming  this  name,  are  all  ut- 
terly void  of  force  and  importance.  We  have  never  be- 
lieved and  never  asserted  that  this  clique  had  an  actual 
constitution  and  by-laws,  and  that  in  due  form  they  held 
their  annual  election  for  ofiicers,  and  were  surrounded  by 
all  the  paraphernalia  of  a  regularly  organized  secret  soci- 
ety, as  in  the  case  of  Odd  Fellows  or  Masons.  But  what 
we  contend  for,  and  what  we  have  proved,  is  that  this 
clique  actually  do  act  as  a  secret  society.  And  while  they 
have  not  the  constitution  and  by-laws,  they  have  the 


72 


A  HISTORY  OF  THB 


veritable  thing.  We  have  shown  that  this  clique  have 
held  regular  secret  meetings ;  as  strictly  secret  and  pri 
vate  as  any  meetings  ever  known  as  secret  meetings. 

We  have  shown  that  at  one  of  those  meetings,  at  least, 
a  door-keeper  was  employed  to  guard  the  room  and  pre- 
vent the  entrance  of  all  who  could  not  be  trusted.  And 
it  is  a  notable  fact  that  this  witness  in  his  unwillingness 
to  tell  the  facts  in  the  case,  has  testified  to  the  strange  cir- 
cumstance that  he  "  Stood  outside  of  all  the  Churches  in 
Medbia."  This  testimony,  strange  as  it  is,  is  not  without 
its  significancy,  which  we  shall  do  well  to  remember. 

So  seci'et  were  those  meetings  that  even  a  brother  preach- 
(r  from  a  neighboring  Conference  could  not  be  trusted. — 
And  after  due  private  deliberation  as  to  how  to  get  rid  of 
the  unwelcome  guest,  a  member  of  the  secret  clique  went 
to  said  brother  and  duly  informed  him  that  that  was  a 
secret  meeting,  and  he  was  invited  to  leave  the  room. — 
There  was,  as  we  have  shown,  not  only  a  general  under- 
standing among  the  members  of  this  clique,  that  these 
meetings  were  to  be  secret,  but  we  see  them  taking  the 
precaution,  lest  in  some  way  these  proceedings  should  leak 
out,  to  "  pledge  themselves  to  keep  to  themselves  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  meeting."  No  further  proof,  then,  is  nec- 
essary, that  this  Regency  Clique  is  a  secret  clique. 

In  the  extreme  desire  of  the  prosecution  to  avoid  the 
culpability  consequent  upon  the  proof  adduced  of  the  na- 
ture of  these  secret  meetings,  they  have  resorted  to  a 
characteristic  dodge,  which  reminds  us  very  forcibly  of 
an  adage  of  Dr.  Bond,  viz.:  "He  that  is  only  law  honest 
is  a  very  great  rogue^ 

Witnesses  have  been  asked,  "  If  they  were  in  any  secret 
meetings  held  in  Le  Roy  during  the  session  of  our  Con- 
ference there?  "  They  have  answered  in  the  negative. — 
When  other  facts  were  to  be  elicited,  these  witnesses  have 
been  asked,  "  Were  you  in  a  select  meeting  held  over  Bry- 


PRBB  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


73 


ant  and  Clark's  store  in  Le  Roy,  during  the  session  of  our 
Conference  there  ?  "  and  they  have  answered  in  the  affirm- 
ative. Is  it  not  passing  strange  that  Methodist  Ministers 
should  stoop  so  low  as  to  resort  to  such  trickery  and  de- 
ception as  this  to  avoid  the  force  of  truth  ?  These  men 
have  solemnly  testified  here,  with  all  due  gravity,  that 
they  positively  were  not  in  any  secret  meetings,  but  that 
they  were  in  select  meetings  at  the  time  under  considera- 
tion, and  we  have  adduced  evidence  to  show  that  these 
meetings  bore  all  the  essential  characteristics  and  attri- 
butes of  strictly  seci-et  meetings.  Yet  they  were  not  se- 
cret, only  select  meetings  !  Here  surely  is  a  distinction 
without  a  difference. 

After  the  close  of  the  Le  Roy  Conference,  on  my  way 
to  the  depot,  I  exchanged  a  few  words  with  a  brother  on 
the  subject  of  the  secret  meetings,  which  I  supposed  had 
been  held  during  the  session  of  our  Conference.  To  my 
utter  astonishment  this  brother  positively  denied  that  the 
Regency  men  had  had  a  single  secret  meeting  during  the 
session  of  that  Conference.  Not  an  hour  after  that,  be- 
fore I  had  passed  ten  miles  from  Buffalo,  a  brother  minis- 
ter told  me  in  the  cars  that  he  had  during  the  session  of 
our  Conference  been  in  a  secret  meeting  of  those  men. — 
This  brother  when  invited  in  was  supposed  to  be  in  sym- 
pathy with  them.  As  I  supposed  both  of  these  brethren 
to  be  men  of  unquestionable  veracity,  I  was  wholly  un- 
able to  reconcile  those  antagonistic  statements.  But  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  this  trial  the  mystery  is  all  solved. — 
These  were  not  secret,  but  only  select  meetings. 

The  business  transactions  of  these  meetings,  present, 
according  to  the  testimony  of  those  who  were  in  there,  a 
Btrange  mongrel  of  the  social  and  religious  aspect.  Evi- 
dence goes  to  show  that  the  business  of  these  meetings 
was  transacted  in  a  business-like  manner.  There  was  a 
Chairman  who  presided  over  their  deliberations,  and  there 


74 


A  HISTORY    OF  THE 


was  the  Secretary  who  kept  a  record  of  the  proceedings 
of  tlie  meeting.  We  liave  e.vliibiteil  before  tliis  Confer- 
ence the  minutes  of  one  of  tliese  meetings,  whicli  shows 
that  motions  were  duly  made,  put,  passed  and  recorded. 
P^vidence  sliows  tliat  as  to  the  business  of  tliese  meetings, 
there  was  passing  upon  the  character  of  preachers,  pray- 
ing, eating  peaches,  talking  upon  the  subject  of  holiness, 
discussion  of  disciplinary  questions,  signing  petitions  or 
remonstrances  against  preachers  who  were  obnoxious  to 
tliem,  &c.,  &c. 

All  this  was  done,  you  will  observe,  in  a  business-like 
and  very  pious  Tuanner.  True,  those  of  us  who  are  unini- 
tiated, cannot  comprehend  fully  why  a  Chairman  and 
Secretary  should  be  necessary  in  a  meeting  foi'  talking  on 
the  subject  of  holiness,  or  of  prayers,  or  why  these  meet- 
ings shouhl  V)e  held  within  closed  dooi-s,  or  why  minutes 
of  the  same  should  be  kept,  or  why  a  brother  minister 
should  be  invited  out  of  a  meeting  held  for  so  good  a  pur- 
pose, or  why  a  door-keeper  siiould  be  necessary  ;  and  yet 
such  is  the  evidence  in  the  case. 

The  proof  then,  of  the  assertion  of  this  item,  that  these 
men  did  "act  in  secret  conclave,"  is  past  all  doubt.  That 
apart  of  their  business  was  to  take  measure  to  "drive 
away  "  those  who  had  the  "  boldness  to  question  their  su. 
premacy  in  Conference,"  I  think  is  quite  as  evident;  and 
that  this  "  driving  away  ])rocess  "  was  to  be  pursued  in 
part,  at  least,  by  "  sham  trials  "  is  most  evident,  as  evinced 
especially  in  the  trial  of  Bro.  Roberts  of  last  year. 

We  are  fully  justified  in  calling  the  proceedings  of 
these  trials  "  sham  trials."  First,  from  the  fact  that  these 
trials  are  prejudged  and  predetermined,  as  our  evidence 
shows.  It  has  been  understood  for  months  past  that  this 
trial  was  to  take  place  at  this  Conference.  E.vpressions 
to  this  effect  have  here  and  there  leaked  out  and  come  to 
'  our  ears.    It  has  been  said  that  these  men,  who  are  o}>- 


FREK  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


76 


posed  to  this  secret  clique  that  we  have  so  fully  exposed, 
must  and  would  be  put  out  of  the  Conference  at  this  ses- 
sion, and  Bro.  Roberts  has  been  named  as  one  of  the  per- 
sons who  must  be  thus  sacrificed  according  to  the  prede- 
termination and  dictation  of  this  secret  clique. 

One  of  these  leading  men  of  this  secret  clique  said, 
prior  to  Bro.  Roberts'  trial  last  year,  "  Those  men  must  be 
sacrificed,  and  they  will  be  ;  Iknow  the  minds  of  the  lead- 
ing men  in  this  Conference  on  this  point,  and  also  of  the 
Bishops." 

In  justice  to  our  bench  of  Bishops,  I  here  take  pleasure 
in  saying  that  these  reflections  upon  their  integrity  we 
brand  as  grossly  unjust  and  calumnious.  We  do  not  now, 
and  we  never  have  believed  that  these  men  ever  had  any 
good  reason  to  say  that  they  "  knew  the  minds  of  the 
Bishops  on  this  subject."  We  never  have  believed  that 
the  Bishops  ever  designed  to  show  any  party  partiality 
towards  either  of  the  party  sections  of  our  Conference. — 
If  we  had  no  other  evidence  of  the  impartiality  of  the 
Bishops  in  our  Conference  issues,  I  think  that  the  total  ab- 
sence of  the  slightest  appearance  of  favoritism  during  the 
progress  of  this  perplexing  and  laborious  trial,  should  be 
sufficient  to  disabuse  any  candid  mind  of  so  unfounded  a 
suspicion.  And  yet  this  talk  is  no  new  thing  to  us.  This 
is  not  the  first  time  that  we  have  heard  from  the  same 
quarters,  by  the  same  class  of  men,  that  the  Bishops  were 
committed  to  the  favor  of  the  Regency  party,  and  against 
the  Nazarites.  These  things  have  been  stated  to  the  laity 
for  party  purposes  and  to  serve  personal  ends.  We  re- 
gard, as  we  always  have,  these  declarations  as  unjust  in 
their  reflections  upon  the  Bishops,  as  they  are  void  of 
tru.th.  We  repudiate  such  statements  as  slanders  upon 
tlie  Episcopacy,  which,  as  far  as  they  arc  bi'licvcd.  nrc  calcu- 
lated to  do  tliem  groat  injustice. 

But  to  return  to  the  culpability  on  the  part  of  the  pros- 


7C 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ecution  of  prejudging  and  predetermining  this  case  :  Bro. 
Roberts  was  named  by  this  man,  who  made  the  remark 
we  liave  quoted,  as  one  of  tlie  men  who  "  must  be  sacri- 
ficed." One  of  these  leading  men  said  in  a  private  family 
only  a  few  miles  distant  from  this  place,  on  his  way  to 
tills  Conference,  "  some  of  these  men  must  be  put  out  of 
the  Conference  at  this  session,  and  we  have  the  tools  to  do 
it  with." 

In  yonder  Chapel,  but  a  few  hours  since,  it  was  said  by 
one  of  these  secret  clique  men,  "  one  of  these  parties  must 
be  driven  to  the  wall  at  this  Conference."  Witnesses  have 
testified  that  men  -of  that  secret  clique  party  have  told 
them  during  the  year,  that  two  or  three  of  the  leading 
men  of  the  so-called  Nazarite  party  were  to  be  expelled 
at  this  Conference. 

To  break  the  force  of  our  witness  on  this  point  as  to 
"  sham  trials,"  the  prosecution  has  asked  a  witness  "  If 
one  of  these  expressions  was  not  uttered  dui'ing  a  conver- 
sation on  the  evils  of  Nazaritisra."  Here  again  we  find 
the  "dog  Noble"  barking  away  at  the  empty  holeof  Naz- 
aritism,  where  he  has  been  barking  for  the  past  three  years. 
We  have  shown  that  tliere  is  not  the  slightest  evidence 
that  any  such  a  society  ever  existed.  Bro.  J.  McCreary 
has  here  testified,  and  as  he  did  also  three  years  ago  at 
tlie  Oleaii  Conference,  that  he  alone  was  responsible  for 
whatever  had  been  written  indicating  that  such  a  society 
ever  existed.  Sucli  has  l)een  tiie  understanding  ever  since, 
and  yet  the  empty  hole  is  again  assailed  by  the  barking 
"  dog  Noble."  From  the  fact  of  the  persistent  determi- 
nation of  these  men  to  insist  upon  the  existence  of  a  Naz- 
arite party,  a  few  of  us  who  considered  ourselves  misre- 
picsi  nted  at  the  Le  Koy  Conference,  published  a  disclaim- 
er, setting  this  matter  in  its  true  light,  which  you  will 
find  in  the  testimony  of  Rev.  J.  P.  Kent. 

But,  suppose  we  admit  that  these  remarks  were  made 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


77 


during  a  conversation  on  the  "  evils  of  Nazaritism,"  what 
then  ? 

We  deny  positively,  that  any  such  evils  exist  among 
those  who  are  called  Nazarites,  as  are  charged  upon  them. 
"We  know  positively  tliat  the  charges  of  excess  and  ex- 
travagance in  religious  devotions,  imputed  to  them,  are 
absolutely  and  grossly  false  and  slanderous,  and  that  they 
have  not  the  slightest  foundation  in  truth;  and  we  doubt 
not  these  reflections  upon  them  are  made  for  party  purpose 
and  effect.  Talk  about  the  evils  of  Nazai-itism  !  Sir,  the 
time  has  come  among  us,  when  evil  is  put  for  good,  and 
good  for  evil ;  bitter  for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter ;  light 
for  darkness,  and  darkness  for  light. 

The  question  was  asked  a  witness :  "  Was  not  the  opin- 
ion based  on  the  fact,  if  they  continued  to  pursue  this  ir- 
regular course,  they  were  to  ^be  put  out  of  Conference  ?  " 
What  palliation  of  the  iniquity  of  prejudging  these  men, 
and  predetermining  to  expel  them  from  the  ConfereiKse, 
is  this,  we  would  wish  to  know,  even  if  this  should  prove 
to  be  true,  which  was  not  so  proved !  Tliis  only  shows 
that  these  men  assume  to  say  what  is  regular,  and  what  is 
irregular.  It  has  come  to  that,  that  a  few  men  assume  to 
be  the  self-constituted  regulators  of  the  Conference  ;  but 
it  so  happens  that  we  question  their  claims  in  tliis  matter. 
What  they  call  regular,  in  some  matters,  we  call  very  ir- 
regular; and  what  they  call  irregular,  we  call  refrular. — 
This  Conference  lias  been  so  long  regulated  by  these  irreg- 
ular men,  as  we  hold  them,  that  things  are  found  to  be  in 
a  very  irregular  condition  among  us. 

We  call  these  triats  "  sham  trials  "  again,  from  the  fact 
of  their  having  been  virtually  decided,  as  we  have  clearly 
and  fully  shown,  by  the  jurors,  prior  to  their  coming  into 
the  coui-t-room.  We  will  not  detain  the  Conference  to  de- 
tail these  revolting  circumstances  again.  These  test-votes, 
and  these  secret  pre-enactmeuts,  are  before  you.    The  at- 


78 


A   HISTORY   OF  THE 


tempt,  by  the  prosecution,  to  avoid  the  inevitable  rebuke 
and  condemnation  that  must  fall  upon  the  perpetrators  of 
these  deeds  of  secret  injustice,  which  we  have  brought  to 
light  by  prying  open  the  doors  of  the  secret  conclaves,  by 
saying  that  they  "  voted  that  the  character  of  B.  T.  Rob- 
erts should  not  pass  till  he  had  a  fair  trial^''  is  another 
baseless  artifice  that  all  unprejudiced  minds  will  look  up- 
on in  its  true  light.  We  have  already  seen  what  these 
men  call  a  "  fair  trial."  What  they  call  "  fair,"  we  pro- 
nounce most  unjust  and  unfair ;  and  we  believe  tlie  un- 
pi'ejudiced  judgment  of  the  chu<"3h  and  the  community 
will  pronounce  such  secret-meeting  proceedings  as  were 
had  in  Bro.  Roberts'  case  of  last  year,  not  only  unjust  and 
unfair,  but  will  brand  such  trial  proceedings  as  sham-like 
and  grossly  unjust. 

The  sham  nature  of  these  trials  is  seen,  again,  in  the 
partiality  of  the  subjects  upon  whom  they  are  fixed.  If 
it  is  a  matter  of  guilt,  or  moral  wrong,  to  circulate  these 
fly-sheets,  and  ii  we  should  acknowledge  that  this  guilt  or 
wrong-doing  was  proved  against  Bro.  Roberts,  and  if  a 
penalty  of  any  nature  is  to  be  inflicted  on  him  for  said 
acts,  then,  we  wish  to  know,  why  fix  on  one,  or  two,  or 
three  men  of  this  Conference  as  worthy  of  charges  and 
Conference  censure,  while  many  others  in  the  Conference, 
equally  guilty,  are  passed  by  unnoticed  ?  Why  this  mak- 
ing the  very  same  act  a  venial  ofience  in  one  man,  and  a 
mortal  sin  in  another  ?  Why,  we  ask,  is  Rev.  B.  T.  Rob- 
erts fixed  upon  as  guilty  and  blame-worthy,  wlien  those 
who  stand  opposed  to  him  in  the  matters  of  our  Confer- 
ence issues,  are  unnoticed,  tliough  guilty  of  the  very  same 
thing  charged  upon  him  ?  Mr.  Chairman,  we  need  not  ask 
why  ;  for  we  know  why.  It  is  simply,  sir,  because  he  is 
a  man  "  who  has  the  boldness  to  question  the  supremacy  " 
of  the  clique  known  as  the  Buffalo  Regency.  This  seems 
to  be  about  tlie  head  and  front  of  the  oflending  of  Bro. 


FRKK  MKTHODIST  PHCRCH. 


Roberts.  Did  he  not  "  question  th..nr  Fupremacy,"  and 
damage  their  craft,  and  expose  their  seci-et  plottings,  and 
make  bar.'  their  wroug-doinos,  and  wroiiu'  doctrines  and 
teaching^:,  this  bill  of  charges  had  never  been  presented 
against  bira,  and  four  days  of  tiie  time  of  this  Conference 
would  not  have  been  consumed  in  tlie  traversing  of  ti.is 
case. 

The  prosecuting  counsel,  in  a  fruitless  eflbrt  to  w  .jrm 
himself  out  of  this  dark  feature  in  tliis  palpable  injustice 
perpetrated  against  Bro.  Roberts,  says,  "  What  have  we 
to  do  with  others  ?  He  is  the  man.  The  question  is  not, 
Have  others  circulated  these  documents?  but.  Has  Bro. 
Roberts  circulated  them  ?  "  Exactly  so  !  This  is  jwe- 
cisely  the  question  !  The  question  is  not,  How  many  oth- 
ers have  circulated  them  ?  Or,  liow  many  of  them  have 
others  circulated?  These  are  questions  of  no  importance 
whatever.  The  all-important  question  is.  Has  Bro.  Rob- 
erts circulated  them?  And  why,  we  beg  to  know,  is  this 
the  question?  The  answer  is  at  hand  in  the  language 
of  this  item.  It  is  simply  and  solely  because  he  "  has  the 
boldness  to  question  the  supremacy  in  our  Conference"  of 
this  Buffalo  Regency  clique.  Let  this  fact  be  distinctly 
kept  in  mind.  Did  Bro.  Roberts  pusillanimously  submit 
to  the  arbitrar)  dictation  and  control  of  this  secret  clique 
in  our  Conference,  he  would  to  day  l)e  in  as  higli  esteem 
among  these  men  as  any  brotlier  in  the  Coni'erence.  But, 
sir,  he  has  involved  himself  in  ditliculty,  simply  because 
he  has  the  manliness,  integrity  and  bc'dness  to  question 
the  s^ipremacy  of,  and  hurl  defiance  at  a  secret  power  in 
our  Conference,  which  marks  every  man  as  a  victim  wiio 
does  not  submit  to  its  arbitrary  rule. 

Having  thus  reviewed  these  items  in  *ho  light  of  the 
testimony  before  us,  and  having  seen  the  cloud  of  facts 
that  come  in  to  substantiate  the  truthfulness  of  all  the 
points  we  have  attempted  to  sustain,  we  are  willing  to 


80 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


submit  to  the  decision  of  any  impartial  tribunal,  the  ques- 
tion, should  Bro.  Roberts,  or  any  other  man,  be  pronounced 
guilty  of  "  unchristian  and  immoral  conduct  "  for  uttering 
the  sentiments  of  these  items  ?  Had  the  efforts  been  suc- 
cessful to  prove  that  Bro.  Roberts  had  published  and  cir- 
culated the  fly-sheet,  this  Conference  could  not,  with  any 
show  of  justice,  pronounce  him  guilty  of  "  unchi-istian  and 
immoral  conduct,"  for  publishing  those  sections  in  these 
items,  tlie  sentiments  of  which  we  have  vindicated  and 
shown  to  be  true,  in  the  light  of  the  evidences  and  facts 
we  have  presented  to  this  Conference. 

But  the  efforts  of  the  prosecution  to  prove  the  agency 
of  Bro.  Roberts  in  the  publication  and  circulation,  have 
been  a  palpable  failure.  We  have  proved  by  tlie  publish- 
er of  the  pamphlet,  that  Bro.  Roberts  had  not  the  slight- 
est agency  in  its  publication  :  that  he  never  contributed  in 
any  way  a  single  cent  for  that  object,  and  it  does  not  ap- 
pear that  Bro.  Roberts  even  knew  of  the  intention  of  its 
publication  until  after  it  was  issued. 

There  is  not,  tlien,  as  all  must  see,  the  slightest  ground 
upon  wliich  to  base  a  pretext  for  the  conviction  of  the  de- 
fendant ;  and  his  conviction,  under  tliese  circumstances, 
would  be  an  outrage  on  justice  scarce  ever  paralleled  in 
the  history  of  ecclesiastical  jurisprudence. 

It  will  be  well  for  us  to  remember,  that  whatever  may 
be  the  action  of  this  Conference  in  this  case,  that  after  we 
have  passed  upon  it,  it  is  to  go  before  the  tribunal  of  the 
Church  and  the  world.  Whatever  may  be  our  decision, 
their  verdict  will,  doubtless, .  be  that  of  acquittal.  We 
should  remember  that  the  influences  of  this  trial  are  not 
to  be  confined  to  this  court-room.  Without  doubt,  it  will 
"affect  the  people  and  the  harmony  of  our  Zion."  The 
people  are  watching  with  intense  interest  our  action  in' 
this  case,  and  it  will  not  answer  for  us  to  say,  as  has  been 
said  by  the  prosecution,  "  what  have  we  to  do  with  out 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


81 


side  influences  ?  "  We  shall  learn  Lliat  we  have  much  to 
do  with  "  outside  influences  "  and  "  outside  influences  " 
have  much  to  do  with  us. 

'  As  I  love  the  church  of  my  choice,  in  which  I  have 
lived  and  labored  for  the  past  few  years,  and  in  which  I 
mean  to  live  and  labor  until  I  die,  so  deeply  do  I  feel  an 
interest  in  the  influences  of  this  trial  on  the  harmony  and 
peace  of  our  Methodist  Zion  in  this  section  of  the  work. 
Such  are  the  surrounding  influences  of  this  trial,  the  in- 
fluences which  have  induced  it,  and  the  issues  pending, 
that  its  results  upon  the  interests  of  our  church  must  iu- 
e\-itab]y  be  wide-spread  and  lasting  for  good  or  evil. 

Bro.  Roberts  is  well  known  to  be  an  ardent  lover  of, 
and  zealous  defender  of,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
From  a  special  intimacy  with  him  for  years  past,  I  know 
as  but  few  others  do,  how  deep  and  ardent  are  his  attach- 
ments to  our  church.  His  labors  in  this  church  of  his 
choice  have  been  remarkably  blessed  of  the  Lord,  since  he 
entered  its  ministry.  Wherever  he  has  labored,  God  has 
given  him  seals  of  his  ministry,  and  favor  with  the  peo- 
ple. The  past  year  has  been  one  of  marked  success  in  his 
ministry.  The  people  expect  and  desim  his  return.  It  is 
well  known  that  he  has  so  endeared  himself  to  tlie  people 
of  his  several  charges,  as  but  few  among  us  have  ever 
done.  To  all  appearances,  as  bright  a  future  of  usefulness 
and  of  ministerial  success  lies  before  him,  if  permitted  to 
labor  on  uninterruptedly,  as  that  of  any  man  in  our  Con- 
ference. Now,  can  it  be  possible,  with  the  evidences  of 
the  innocency  of  the  defendant  whicli  we  have  beibre  us, 
that  we,  as  a  Conference,  shall  dare  in  any  way,  to  ])eril 
his  career  of  usefulness,  by  pronouncing  Conference  cen- 
sure upon  him,  for  a  single  act,  even  if  said  act  be  admit- 
mitted  to  have  transpired,  of  whicli,  if  he  be  blameworthy 
at  all,  he  only  stands  in  equal  condenniation  witli,  perhaps, 
half  of  the  members  of  this  Conference  ?  If  from  the 
4* 


82 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


evidences  and  the  facts  in  the  case  we  now  have  before 
us,  Benjamin  T.  Koberts  is  worthy  of  Conference  censure 
in  anj'  degree,  then,  we  ask,  empliatically,  where  is  the 
man  among  us  who  is  guiltless  ?  "  Let  him  who  is  with 
out  sin  cast  the  tirst  stone." 


CLOSING  PLEA  BY  REV.  B.  T.  ROBERTS. 

Mr.  Presidknt:  It  is  fitting  that  I  should,  in  this  pub- 
lic manner,  before  this  large  audience,  express  to  you*  my 
sincere  thanks  for  the  able  and  impartial  manner  in  which 
you  have  presided  during  this  protracted  investigation. — 
Whatever  the  result  may  be,  I  shall  always  cherish  for 
you,  sir,  the  liveliest  feelings  of  gratitude  for  the  kind- 
ness you  have  manifested  to  me  personally,  and  the  equi- 
table spirit  which  has  prompted  the  decisions  which  you 
have,  from  time  to  time,  been  obliged  to  make. 

Fathers  and  Brethren  of  the  Conference  :  I  will  not  en- 
deavor to  conceal  from  you  the  disappointment  I  felt  in 
not  being  able  to  procure  a  committee,  as  pi-ovided  for  in 
the  Discipline.  But  as  you  have  chosen  to  take  the  decis- 
ion of  the  case  into  your  own  hands,  I  trust  you  will  re- 
member that  in  reality  the  same  responsibility  rests  upon 
you  personally,  as  though  the  determination  of  the  ques- 
tion devolved  upon  each  one  of  you  alone.  For  months, 
intimations  have  been  currentf  that  several  who  have  been 
instrumental  in  promoting  what  such  veterans  of  the 
cross  as  Rev.  John  P.  Kent  and  Rev.  Asa  Abell  consider 
nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  life  and  power  of  godli- 
ness, must  be  put  out  of  the  Conference.    The  Advocate 


♦Bishop  Janes. 

tThe  Advocate  of  Aug.  26th,  says  of  Mr.  Roberts :  "  The  (ruth,  is.  the  days  of 
hin  darling  schemes  of  ambition  are  nearly  numbered^  This  is  the  tone  of  one 
conficlcnt  that  he  is,  at  least,  the  month-piece  of  those  wlio  have  the  power  of 
life  and  death;  and  who  have  resolved  upon  tlieir  victim  !  Oiiinipolince  it6<>lf 
could  hardly  use  more  positive  language  ! 


FREE  JfKTllODIST  CHUKCH. 


S3 


of  last  week  says.  "  For  years  past  a  disturbing  elcinenv 
has  existed  in  it,  which  the  conservative  and  leading  por- 
tion of  the  body  are  determined  to  control  and  put  out  if 
possible  during  the  present  session."  No  one  can  mistake 
the  meaning  of  this  language.  Does  the  editor  speak  by 
authority  when  he  says,  "  the  leading  portion,"  the  Re- 
gency, "  ARE  DETERMINED  to  jt>i<<  out  the  disturbing  ele- 
ment,^'' the  leaders  of  the  opposing  party  ?  Will  you,  by 
your  action,  show  that  the  result  to  be  arrived  at  in  this 
and  similar  cases,  has  been  "  determined  "  upon  long  ago, 
without  any  regard  to  the  testimony  adduced,  and  the 
facts  elicited  ?  Certain  it  is  that  in  ordinary  times,  by  un. 
prejudiced  men,  no  notice  whatever  would  be  taken  of  such 
charges  as  those  against  us  ;  much  less  could  an  adverse 
decision  be  obtained. 

In  the  examination  of  witnesses,  we  have  gone  into  the 
details  of  this  case,  not  because  we  deemed  it  necessary 
to  our  complete  vindication,  but  because  we  would  have 
your  eyes  open  to  the  state  of  things  that  exists  among  us, 
as  a  Conference.  The  brethren  of  the  other  side  have  re 
peatedly  denied  that  they  have  any  secret  society  or  any 
secret  meetings.  In  our  charity,  we  believed  there  were 
honest  men  in  the  Conference  who,  blinded  by  these  pro- 
testations, were  led  to  give  their  countenance  to  schemes 
they  would  never  tolerate,  if  tlie  delusion  was  dissipated 
and  things  made  to  appear  as  they  are.  For  their  sakes 
we  have  opened  the  secret  chambers  of  iniquity,  and  per- 
mitted you  to  see  men  professing  godliness — the  accred- 
ited ministers  of  Jesus  Christ — plotting,  under  the  pledge 
of  secrecy,  and  in  the  guise  of  devotion  to  the  chnrcli,  the 
overthrow  of  their  unsuspecting  brethren.  I  shall  not  go 
into  details  ;  my  friend  has  done  that  ably  and  fully.  In 
my  remarks,  I  shall  confine  myself  to  those  points  that 
have,  as  I  conceive,  a  direct  bearing  upon  the  question  a,^ 
issue.     I  shall  pass  over  ^11  which,  however  important  in 


84 


A  HISTORY  OF  lliE 


itself,  is  irrelevant  to  the  case.  This  trial  grows  out  of - 
the  one  of  last  year.  I  am  cliargeil  with  "  coiituiuacy," 
in  disregarding  the  action  of  this  Conference  at  its  last 
session.  I  do  not  know  in  what  way  I  disregarded  its  ac- 
tion. When  friends  came,  in  the  dead  of  night,  and  in- 
formed me  of  the  action  of  the  Conference  in  my  case,  I 
arose  from  my  couch,  j)ut  on  my  apparel,  and  repaired 
with  all  haste  to  the  Confei-ence  room,  and  received,  with 
resignation,  the  reproof  that  the  Bishop  was  directed  to  , 
administer.  If  there  was  any  admonition  to  pni-sne  a  bet- 
ter course  in  the  future,  I  am  sui-e  I  nevei-  heard  of  it  un- 
til this  present  trial  was  commenced.  I  was  not  present 
when  the  vote  was  taken,  but  I  have  inquired  of  several 
reliable  brethren  who  were,  and  they  think  there  was  no 
such  addition  to  the  reproof  But  it  so  stands  u]ion  the 
Journal,  and  such  we  must  presume  to  be  the  action  of 
the  Conference.*  But  be  that  as  it  may,  I  have  honestly 
endeavored  to  do  better  than  I  have  ever  done  before.  I 
have  tried  to  be  instant  in  season  and  out  of  season,  al- 
ways abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  I  have  gone, 
"  not  only  to  those  who  wanted  me,  but  to  those  who 
wanted  me  most."  The  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  own  my 
unworthy,  though  sincere  efforts,  to  promote  His  cause,  to 
a  greater  degree  than  in  any  former  period  of  my  minis- 
try. He  has  permitted  me  to  see  many  souls  rejoice  in  a 
present,  free  and  full  salvation,  who  one  year  ago  were 
walking  in  the  ways  of  sin  and  death.  I  believe  in  grow- 
ing in  grace;  and  it  appears  to  me  tliat  I  have  grown  in 
grace  the  past  year ;  and  if  spared,  I  will  endeavor  to  in 
the  year  to  come. 

If  the  want  of  a  cordial  acquiescence  in  the  justice  of 
the  decision  of  last  year  be  contumacy,  then  I  am  contu- 


*Tlie  Secretary  is  one  of  the  strongest  partisans  of  the  Rege«<cy  faction  in  the 
Conference. 


FRKK  SrKTHODTST  CHURCH. 


85 


macious.  I  always  felt  that  that  trial  was  a  farce,  and 
that  decision  an  outrage.  Fifty-two  men  voted  me  guilty 
of  "  immoral  and  unchristian  conduct,"  when  I  knew  I 
was  not  guilty.  Galileo  was  once  compelled  by  a  council, 
that  claimed  as  much  wisdom  and  infallibility  as  this  body 
of  ministers  can,  to  retract  his  statement  that  the  eartli 
moved  instead  of  the  sun.  But  after  his  retraction,  he 
was  heard  to  say,  in  an  undertone,  "  but  the  earth  does 
move  after  all."  Their  saying  that  our  planet  stands  still, 
did  not  make  it  so.  Voting  a  man  immoral,  does  not  ren- 
der him  immoral.  The  vote  of  last  year,  obtained  as  it 
was,  did  not  occasion  me  the  loss  of  self-respect ;  nor  did 
it  lessen,  so  far  as  I  could  learn,  in  the  slightest  degree, 
the  confidence  which  those  who  know  me  have  always  hon- 
ored me  with.  Nor  could  I  ever  persuade  myself  that 
those  who  voted  me  guilty  of  immorality,  in  reality  be- 
lieved this  to  be  the  case.*  I  made  no  retraction  nor 
apology.  No  effort  was  put  forth  to  explain  away  the 
force  of  what  I  had  written.  I  constantly  affirmed  that  I 
believed  it  to  be  true,  and  I  offered  to  prove  it  if  a  fair 
chance  were  given  me  ;  yet  these  same  men  who  voted  me 
guilty  of  immorality,  voted  to  pass  my  character,  and  sent 
me  forth  to  preach  the  Gospel.  I  must  believe,  then,  that 
they  voted  me  guilty  lohen  they  did  not  believe  this  to  be 
the  case  ;  or^  is  it  their  deliberate  judgment,  expi-essedhi  the 
most  solemn  manner,  that  immorality  does  notunfit  a  man 
for  being  a  Minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  a  member  of 
this  Conference? 

The  article  on  New  School  Methodism,  wliich  was  the 
ostensihle  cause  of  the  trial  of  last  year,  as  also  of  tlie 
present  one,  was  written  in  good  faith,  and  with  all  the 


*TUe  man  who  figures  most  conspicuously  in  the  prosecutions  against  Mr. 
Roberts  said  last  j-ear,  after  he  had  put  forth  the  most  strenuous  exertions  to 
convict  him  of  immorality,  "  I  believe  if  there  is  a  good  man  in  the  Conference 
that  enjoys  raligion,  it  is  Bro.  Roberts." 


80 


A    HISTORY  OP  THE 


candor  and  impartiality  that  I  could  command.  For  years 
the  Conference  has  been  divided ;  diflerent  members  of 
the  Regency  party  have,  from  time  to  time,  published 
what  we  conceived  to  be  very  unfair  accounts  of  the  ques- 
tion at  issue.  These  representations,  usually  made  in  the 
Buifalo  Advocate,  being  uncontradicted,  were  producing 
their  effects.  Many  began  to.  think  they  must  be  true,  or 
a  contrary  statement  would  be  made.  We  thought  the 
time  had  come  for  us  to  set  forth  onr  views  of  the  ground 
of  the  division  ;  I  wished  to  do  it  fairly.  If  we  were 
holding  a  discussion  with  the  Universalists;  as  they  have 
no  written,  common  creed,  and  we  should  find  in  their  pa- 
per an  article  by  one  of  their  leading  men,  on  the  points  at 
issue,  and  no  one  dissented  from  this  article,  we  should  be 
treating  them  with  controversial  fairness  if  we  quoted  it, 
and  held  them,  as  a  sect,  responsible.  This  is  the  princi- 
ple on  which  controversies  are  generally  conducted.  I 
adopted  this  plan.  I  found  in  The  Adovcate  of  the  Buf- 
falo Regency  two  articles  written  by  the  literary  cham- 
pion of  the  party,  on  the  doctrines  which  constitute,  as  I 
believe,  the  real  issue  in  this  Conference.  I  waited  some 
six  or  eight  weeks,  and  no  one  expressed  a  dissent  from 
the  views  thus  publicly  put  forth  :  on  the  contrary,  I  heard 
that  the  articles  were  endorsed  by  leading  men  of  the 
party.  I  thought,  then,  that  I  should  be  treating  them 
with  greater  fairness  by  giving  their  views  in  the  language 
of  one  of  their  own  writers  than  in  any  other  way.  I  quo- 
ted a  paragraph  at  a  time  and  showed  wherein  we  dif- 
fered. The  article  was  submitted  to  the  Rev's  Asa  Abell, 
E.  S.  Furman  and  John  Bowman.*  They  thought  it  a 
just  statement  of  the  differences  that  agitate  this  Confer- 
ence.   The  article  was  published  over  my  own  proper  sig- 


*The  latter  was  well  qualified  to  judge,  having  been  ideiilified  with  the  Regency 
party. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUKCH. 


87 


nature.  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  disinterested  per- 
sons, capable  of  judging,  saw  nothing  in  it  morally  wrong. 
A  minister!  occupying,  by  appointment  of  the  General 
Conference,  a  prominent  position  in  the  church,  wrote  me 
as  follows  :  "  Your  article  appears  to  me  to  be  written  in 
as  mild  and  candid  a  tone  as  such  facts  can  be  stated  in." 
A  Presiding  ElderJ  and  prominent  member  of  one  of  the 
Eastern  Conferences,  an  entire  stranger  to  me  personally, 
on  seeing  my  article  in  the  papers,  wrote  me,  thanking  me 
for  having  written  it,  saying  that  the  new  Divinity  was 
creeping  into  their  Conference,  and  doing  immense  mis. 
chief,  and  exhorting  me  to  "  keep  the  monster  in  the  light." 
A  leading  member  of  another  Conference  said  :  "  On  read- 
ing your  article  I  was  particularly  struck  with  its  candor." 
If  I  misrepresented  any  one,  (as  I  do  not  think  I  did,)  it 
was  unintentional.  The  same  paper  in  whicli  my  article 
was  published  was  open  for  a  reply ;  but  none  was  fur- 
nished :  they  chose  to  meet  me  with  votes,  rather  than 
with  argument. 

Before  the  trial  was  commenced,  I  stated  in  open  Con- 
ference, "  That  I  had  written  the  article  on  New  School 
Methodism  in  good  faith,  and  with  a  desire  to  do  justice 
to  all  concerned.  I  had,  as  I  supposed,  good  reason  to 
hold  the  party  responsible  for  tlie  views  set  forth  in  the 
articles  in  the  Advocate,  from  which  I  quoted  ;  if  I  was 
mistaken,  I  would  be  glad  to  correct  the  mistake.  If  the 
brethren  concerned  will  say  that  those  articles  do  not  rep- 
resent tlieir  views,  I  will  publish  in  the  Independent,  and 
in  all  other  papers  that  they  may  desire  me  to,  that  I  was 
mistaken — that  they  do  not  hold  the  views  which  I  said 
they  did." 

What  more  could  I  do  ?    If  I  had  misrepresented  them, 


tRev.  P.  G.  Hibbard.  D.  D.,  then  Editor  of  The  Northern  Christian  Advocate. 
JRev.  Wm.  Ready,  of  the  Oneida  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 


A  IIls■i■(U^^  OF  THE 


tlirougli  mistake,  I  was  aiixioiiH  to  do  all  I  could  to  make 
amends;  if  I  was  laboring  under  a  false  inipression  in  re- 
gard to  their  views,  were  they  not  hound  as  men,  and  as 
Christians,  when  I  sought  to  be  eorrected,  to  make  the 
correction  ?  Yet  no  one  said  he  had  been  misrepresented 
— no  disavowal  was  made  of  the  doctrines  that  1  imputed 
to  them.  Can  it  be  wondered -at  that  their  silence,  luider 
these  circumstances,  confirmed  me  in  the  conviction  that 
what  I  had  written  was  true?  If  I  was  mistaken,  why 
not  give  me  the  autliority  to  correct  it  ?  Does  not  their 
course  demonstrate  that  I  was  not  mistaken  ? 

They  brought  a  charge  against  mo  of  "  immoral  and  un- 
christian conduct,"  for  writing  that  article.  In  the  speci- 
tications,  they  charge  me  with  writing  what  I  never  wrote. 
It  is  a  well-established  princij^le  of  common  law,  that  in 
all  actions  for  libel,  the  ])reciso  language  complained  of  as 
lil.olous  must  be  set  forth  in  the  complaint.  It  will  not 
do  to  say,  "or  words  to  that  effect,"  or  "it  amounts  to 
tliat  "  There  is  no  safety  in  any  other  ]:)riiK'i])le.  Vet  I 
v\as  cliarged  witii  saying  wliat  I  never  said,  or  intended, 
and  what  can  not  lie  made  out  of  niy  words  l)y  any  hon- 
est construction.  Tims  llu'  Hi'st  spcciiication  I'cads  :  "In 
pu])lishing  in  tlic  jVurthi  rn  Independent  that  there  exists 
in  the  Genesee  ('nnlcn  ncc  an  associate  body,  numbering 
about  thirty,  whose  teaching  is  very  different  from  that 
of  the  fathers  of  Methodism."  I  never  published  any 
such  thing.  I  say,  "  Already  there  is  springing  up  among 
us  a  class  of  preachers  whose  leaching  is  very  different 
from  tiiat  of  the  fathers  of  Metliodism.  They  may  be 
found  here  and  there  tlirougluiut  our  Zion  ;  but  in  the 
(Jenesee  Conference  llu  y  act  as  an  associate  body.  They 
number  about  thirty."  There  is  an  essential  difference 
'oetween  "existing"  and  "acting"  as  an  associate  body. 
"  'J'o  exist  as  an  associate  body,"  implies  a  permanent  or- 
ganization ;  but  men  may    act  as  an  associatchody"  who 


PEEK  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


89 


never  saw  one  another  before,  and  who  may  never  meet 
again. 

Though  I  never  affirmed  that  they  "  exist  as  an  associ- 
ate body,"  yet  I  had  no  doubt  of  it  at  the  last  Conference  ; 
I  did  not  say  it,  yet  I  offered  to  prove  it. 

As  the  association  is  a  secret  one,  its  existence  could  be 
proved  only  by  some  of  its  members.  One  of  them  was 
called  upon  the  stand.  He  was  questioned  about  his  knowl- 
edge of  a  secret  association,  composed  of  members  of  this 
Conference.  The  question  was  objected  to.  It  was  de- 
cided* that  the  question  must  be  framed  so  as  to  embody 
this  idea,  "  Do  you  know  of  an  associate  body  of  men, 
numbering  about  thirty,  whose  teaching  is  very  different 
from  that  of  the  fathers  of  3Iethodism  ?  "  Thus  the  wit- 
ness was  called  upon  to  do  two  things  which  no  court  of 
equity  would  have  required, — first,  to  criminate  himself ; 
second,  to  become  a  judge  of  opinion.  He  should  have 
stated  what  they  taught,  and  left  it  for  the  court  to  de- 
termine whether  it  accorded  with  the  doctrines  of  the 
fathers  of  Methodism,  or  not.  Thus  restricted,  I  made  no 
further  attempt  to  examine  witnesses. 

The  second  specification  charges  me  with  "  publishing, 
as  above,  that  said  members  of  the  Genesee  Conference 
are  opposed  to  what  is  fundamental  in  Christianity — to  the 
nature  itself  of  Christianity." 

I  published  nothing  like  it.  This  is  what  I  said :  "  It 
(the  Conference)  is  divided.  .  .  .  This  difference  is 
fundamental.  It  does  not  relate  to  things  indifferent,  but 
to  those  of  the  most  vital  importance.  It  involves  noth- 
ing less  than  the  nature  itself  of  Christianity." 

Who  does  not  know  that  parties  may  differ  about  what 
"  is  fundamental  in  Christianity,"  and  yet  neither  of  them 
be  opposed  to  it?    The  Calvinists  and  Arminians  differ 


•By  BiBh.  p  Baker. 


90 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


about  the  atonement  ;  and  yet  neither  of  them  are  op- 
posed to  the  atonement.  We  differ  from  the  Baptists 
about  baptism :  and  yet  neither  are  opposed  to  baptism. 

Upon  the  principle  they  pursued,  it  would  be  just  as 
easy  to  condemn  the  Saviour  as  myself.  A  Jew  brings 
against  him  the  charge  of  slander,  or  libel.  Specification 
— "  In  saying  that  Moses,  Job,  and  Daniel  were  thieves  and 
robbers."  Proof— in  the  tenth  chapter  of  John  it  is  re- 
corded that  Jesus  said  :  "All  that  kveecame  before  mb 
ARE  THIEVES  AND  ROBBERS."  This  is  a  broad  assertion. — 
He  makes  no  exception  nor  qualification.  It  cannot  be  de- 
nied that  Moses,  Job,  and  Daniel  came  before  him,  there- 
fore he  says  that  Moses,  Job,  and  Daniel  are  thieves  and 
robbers. 

This  is  better  reasoning  than  that  by  which  I  was  con- 
victed, last  year,  "  of  immoral  and  unchristian  conduct." 

The  testimony  taken  in  this  case  shows  the  manner  in 
which  the  verdict  of  last  year  was  obtained.  It  is  proved 
that  "select"  meetings  were  held,  over  Bryant  &  Clark's 
store;  that  "  brethren  present"  in  these  "select"  meet 
ings,  "  pledged  themselves,  by  rising,  to  keep  to  themselves 
the  proceedings  of  this  meeting."  This  is  what  the  Min- 
utes say ;  and  De  Forest  Pai'soiis,  who  tells  us  he  was 
Chairman  of  those  meetings,  "  thinks  they  did  "  so  pledge 
themselves.  Such  ])rocee(lings  were  h  ad  in  these  "  select " 
meetings,  that  it  was  not  considered  safe  to  allow  a  stran- 
ger, who  had  been  invited  in,  to  remain.  Thomas  Carlton 
tells  us,  his  "  impression  is,  that  some  one,  not  a  member 
of  our  Conference,  was  invited  to  go  out.  Some  one  spoke 
to  him,  and  he  went  out.  Why  should  he  be  with  us  when 
we  were  talking  of  Conference  matters  ?  And  some  one 
spoke  to  him,  and  he  went  out !  " 

Why  was  this  brother  invited  to  go  out,  if  nothing  im- 
])roper  was  expected  to  be  done?  If  "  talking  over  Con- 
ference matters  "  was  a  sufficient  reason  for  excluding  him 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


from  those  "select"  meetings,  would  it  not  be  an  equally 
good  reason  for  excluding  strangers  from  tlie  Conference 
room  ?  It  is  evident  why  they  wished  him  to  go  out. — 
They  intended  to  do  something  that  would  not  bear  the 
light.  If  these  meetings  were  seasons  of  such  "  great 
spiritual  interest,"  as  one  witness  would  have  us  believe, 
and  if  they  M  ere  devoted,  as  Bro.  Carlton  has  endeavored 
to  convince  us,  in  his  examination  of  witnesses,  to  consul- 
tatio7is  about  the  best  ntodi  s  of  'promoting  revivals  of  relig- 
ion, the  work  of  holiness,  and  the  enforcement  of  the  dis- 
cipline,  it  would  seem  that  this  brother,  though  not  a  mem- 
ber of  our  Conference,  would  have  been  allowed  to  re- 
main, that  he,  too,  might  be  "  refreshed  "  and  instructed. 
It  is  difficult  to  imagine  how  men  engaged  in  such  holy 
work,  could  jterpetrate  so  great  an  act  of  crueltj^  as  to 
turn  out  a  brother,  who  was  quietly  waiting  to  listen  and 
learn. 

The  Minutes  of  that  secret  meeting,  which,  though  re- 
peatedly read,  have  not  been  questioned  by  any  one,  state 
that  it  was  "  moved  that  we  will  not  allow  the  character 
of  B.  T.  Roberts  to  pass,  until  he  has  had  a  fair  trial. — 
Passed."  The  Chairman  does  not  deny  that  sucli  action 
was  had,  but  tells  us  that  he  does  "  not  remember  sncli 
motion."  He  says,  "  There  was  conversation  concerning 
his  case ;  and  the  general  sentiment,  so  far  as  expressed, 
was,  that  he  should  have  a  fair  trial." 

Here  are  all  the  elements  of  a  conspiracy  to  ruin  the 
ministerial  chai-acter  of  an  absent  brother  :  First,  a  pledge; 
of  secrecy;  second,  turning  out  one  whom,  they  thought, 
[jould  not  be  trusted  with  their  secret  doings;  thii-d,  an 
Bxpression  to  give  him  "  a  fair  trial,"  which  was,  doubt- 
less, understood  to  mean,  "  we  will  vote  for  his  condemna- 
tion." If  this  was  not  the  understanding,  how  did  it  hap- 
pen that  these  men  stood  up  in  a  solid  body  against  me  ? 
They  alone  condemned  me. 


92 


A  HISTORY    OF  THE 


If  it  be  a  sin  to  question  Uie  righteousness  of  a  verdict 
bringing  me  in  guiltjr  of  "  immoral  and  unchristian  con- 
duct," for  publishing  what  was  never  published — a  verdict 
agreed  upon  in  the  secret  conclave  of  an  opposing  party 
— I  trust  it  is  not  a  mortal  sin.  Ever  since  that  verdict 
was  rendered,  I  have  thought  that  it  was  utterly  wrong 
and  wicked,  admitting  of  no  apology  or  palliation.  I  pre- 
sume I  shall  always  be  of  the  same  opinion. 

The  pamphlet  which  forms  the  basis  of  the  present  ti-ial, 
contains  the  article  for  which  I  was  tried  last  year,  and  an- 
other article,  by  Geo.  W.  Esies,  giving  the  charge  and 
specifications,  together  with  a  short  account  of  the  trial. 
This  latter  part  contains  some  things  that  I  never  approv- 
ed of,  and  which  I  have  always  regretted  were  ever  pub- 
lished. 

I  stand  charged  with  "  publisliing,  or  assisting  in  the 
publication  and  circulation  "  of  this  entire  document. — 
The  opposing  counsel  has  labored  earnestly  to  give  the 
term  "  publishing  "  tlie  technical  signification  of  "  making 
public,"  using  many  times  the  phrase,  "circulating,  and 
thereby  publishing."  But  this,  I  am  certain,  is  not 
the  sense  in  which  the  term  was  used  when  the  charges 
were  framed.  Tliey  expected  to  prove  that  I  had  some- 
thing to  do,  in  some  way,  with  publishing  the  document — 
that  is,  in  issuing  it  from  the  press.  The  phraseology  of 
the  specification  must  satisfy  any  one  of  this.  Yet,  if  any 
doubt  remains  that  the  popular  sense  of  the  word  "  pub- 
lishing" is  the  sense  in  which  it  was  intended,  a  single 
iact  will  remove  every  doubt.  Since  this  trial  was  com- 
menced, the  editor  of  the  Brockport  paper,  who  printed 
the  document  under  consideration,  was  sent  for,  by  the 
opposite  side,  post  haste.  He  came  on  as  quick  as  he  could 
come,  changing  horses  by  the  way;  but,  after  being  clos-- 
eted  with  the  counsel,  was  sent  back,  without  being  called 
upon  the  stand,  or  any  intimation  given  to  us  that  he  was 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


93 


present.  I  suppose  they  found  out  the  facts  in  the  case — 
that  I  had  nothing  to  do  whatever,  directly  or  indirectly, 
with  publishing  the  pamphlet.  But  this  makes  no  differ- 
ence with  them ;  they  set  their  wits  to  work,  and  call  in 
the  help  of  legal  technicalities. 

Not  only  is  there  an  utter  absence  of  proof  that  I  pub- 
lished, or  assisted  in  publishing,  the  document  so  offensive 
to  them,  but  the  proof  is  positive,  that  I  had  nothing  to 
do  with  it  whatever. 

Geo'ge  W.  Estes  testified  that  I  did  not  public-h,  nor 
assist  in  publishing,  or  defraying  the  expense  of  publish- 
ing the  document  under  consideration  ;  that  I  never  con- 
sented to  the  republication  of  "  New  School  Methodism;" 
nor  had  anything  to  do  with  writing  the  part  that  bears  his 
name  ;  that  I  did  not,  to  his  knowledge,  even  know  that 
its  publication  was  intended.  The  testimony  is  explicit ; 
it  comes  from  a  responsible  sourc  e — from  a  highly  respected 
exhorter  in  our  church. 

The  only  foundation  that  remains  on  which  to  rest  the 
heavy  charge  of  "  immoral  and  un  christian  conduct,"  is 
the  alleged  circulation  of  this  document.  Suppose  the 
proof  of  circulation  were  evir  so  conclusive,  this  would 
constitute  no  reason  why  I  should  be  put  on  my  trial  for 
immoral  conduct,  as  though  some  great  crime  had  been 
committed.  Had  I  been  permitted  to  go  on,  I  should  have 
shown  that  there  are  but  fcM'  preachers  in  the  Conference 
that  have  not  circulated  itmore  or  less.  One  witness  testifies 
that  he  obtained  twenty-six — bought  some,  and  some  were 
given  to  him — but  declines  to  tell  what  he  did  with  them. 

Is  he  immoral  ?  Is  every  one  immoral  that  has  circu- 
lated that  pamphlet  ?  No  one  believes  it ;  yet  no  one 
could  have  as  good  a  reason  for  circulating  it  as  myself — 
On  going  to  my  charge,  last  fall,  an  entire  stranger,  I 
found  that  one  of  tlie  preachers,  on  his  way  from  Confer- 
ence, had  stopped  with  one  of  the  principal  families  of  the 


94 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


society  with  which  I  was  appointed  to  labor.  In  answer 
to  the  usual  inquiries  about  the  new  preacher,  he  told  them 
that  he  was  the  one  that  was  convicted  of  immoral  con- 
duct, on  nine  out  of  ten  specifications. 

Of  course,  they  felt  like  not  receiving  the  preacher. — 
They  could  not  think  what  they  had  done,  that  they  should 
liave  one  sent  to  them  to  preach  the  Gospel  Avho  had  been 
convicted  of  immoral  conduct. 

During  the  year  I  was  invited  to  preach  in  a  church  of 
another  denomination.  Before  the  time  came  for  filling 
the  appointment,  our  preacher,  stationed  in  the  place^ 
called  upon  the  pastor  of  the  church  where  I  was  to 
preach,  and  gravely  informed  him  that  the  person  who  was 
to  occupy  his  pulpit  had  been  convicted  of  immoral  con- 
duct at  the  last  session  of  Conference. 

The  Buffalo  Advocate,  and  the  Christian  Advocate  and 
Jonrnal,  have  publislicd  to  the  world,  that  I  was  found 
guilty  of  "immoral  and  unchristian  conduct;"  and,  when 
a  friend  of  mine  souglit  to  make  an  explanation,  through 
the  columns  of  the  .hlrocate  and  Journal,  he  was  refused 
permission.  Could  aiiytliiiiL;'  be  more  natural  than  that  I 
sliould  desire  to  h;ivc  my  friends  read  tlie  article /or 
wliicli  I  liad  been  confk'iimed,  that  they  might  judge  for 
themselves,  whetluT  tliere  was  anything  that  should  oc- 
casion them  to  withdraw  tlieir  confidence  ?  It  was,  un- 
doubtedly, a  conviction  of  tlie  proi)riety  of  this,  that  ex- 
cited the  unfounded  suspicion  that  I  had  something  to  do 
with  the  republication  of  "  New  School  Methodism." 

The  account  which  George  Estes  gives  of  the  trial,  is 
llic  only  account  that  was  ever  published.  It  contaiTis 
some  nit lier  sharp  tilings;  and  yet  there  is  nothing  by 
any  means  as  seveix'  as  may  be  found  in  tlie  writings  of 
.lolni  ^Vesley,  the  founder  of  our  denomination.  Wesle 
says  of  his  brethren,  the  clergy :  "  There  are,  among 
yourselves,  ungodly  and  unholy  men — openly,  undeniably 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


95 


such — drunkards,  tjluttons,  returners  i>f  evil  for  evil,  liars, 
swearers,  profaners  of  tlie  day  of  tlie  Lord."' — Vol.  v.,  p.  24. 
The  Arehbishop  of  York  sent  a  paternal  address  to  the 
clergy  of  his  diocese.  Part  of  it  ran  nearly,  if  not  exact- 
ly, thus  : 

"  There  is  great  indiscretion  in  preaching  up  a  sort  of 
religion,  as  the  true  and  only  Ciiristianity,  which,  in  tlicii- 
own  account  of  it,  consists  in  an  cntliusiastic  ardor,  to  be 
understood,  or  attained,  by  very  few,  and  not  to  be  ])rac- 
ticed  without  breaking  in  upon  the  conmion  duties  of  life." 

"Wesley  replies  to  this  in  the  following  severe  terms: — 
"  O,  my  lord,  what  manner  of  words  are  these  !  Suppos- 
ing candor  and  love  out  of  the  question,  are  they  the 
words  of  ti-ufli  '■'  T  dar(>  stake  my  life  upon  it,  there  is  not 
one  true  <'lause  in  all  this  ]iaragrapli/' — p.  42.  Why  did 
not  his  graee  ha\e  him  turne<l  out  of  the  church,  upon  a 
charge  of  libfl,  for  accusing  him  of  lying? 

He  charges  some  who  call  themselves  Protestants  with 
being  wor^.e  than  Bonner.  "  Why,  Edmund  Bonner  would 
have  starved  the  heretics  in  ]trison  ;  Avhereas  yon  starved 
them  in  their  own  houses  !   — Vol.  v.,  p.  91. 

Wliat  cobbler  in  London  is  not  wiser  than  the  princi- 
pal Secretary  of  State?  What  coffee-house  disputcr  is 
not  an  :  bier  divine  thnn  his  grace  of  Canterbury  ?  '' — Vol. 
v.,  p.  121. 

Of  his  brcthreft,  the  clergy,  he  says :  "  There  are  found 
among  us  covetous  men,"  men  who  "  mind  earthly  things,  ' 
who  "seek  themselves"  and  not  Christ  crucified,  wdio 
"love  the  world  and  the  things  of  the  world." — Vol.  v.,  p. 
125.  Again  :  "How  many  are  there  who  do  not  study  to 
speak  w'lat  is  true,  especially  to  the  rich  and  great,  so 
much  as  what  is  pleasing?  Who  flatter  honorable  sinners 
instead  of  telling  them  plain,  'How  can  ye  escape  the 
damnation  of  hell?'"— P.  127. 

Of  some  of  the  clergy  he  says  :  "You  it  is  certain  have 


96 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


shown  the  utmost  hatred  to  us,  and  in  every  possible  way; 
unless  you  were  actually  to  beat  us  (of  which  also  we  are 
not  without  precedent,)  or  shoot  us  through  the  head  ;  and 
if  you  could  prevail  upon  others  to  do  this  I  suppose  you 
would  think  you  did  God  service.  *****  It  is, 
ray  brethren,  your  own  preaching,  and  not  ours,  which  sets 
the  people  against  you.  The  very  same  persons  who  are 
diverted  with  those  sermons,  cannot  but  despise  you  for 
them  in  their  heart ;  even  those  who  on  your  authority  be- 
lieve most  of  the  assertions  which  you  advance.  What 
then  must  they  think  of  you,  who  know  the  greatest  part 
of  what  you  assert  to  be  utterly  false  ?  They  may  pity 
and  pray  for  you  ;  but  they  can  esteem  you  no  other  than 
false  witnesses  against  God  and  your  brethren." — Vol.  v., 
p.  162. 

"  God  begins  a  glorious  work  in  our  land,  you  set  your- 
self against  it  with  all  your  might  to  prevent  its  begin- 
ning where  it  does  not  yet  appear,  and  to  destroy  it  wher- 
ever it  does.  In  part  you  prevail.  You  keep  many  from 
hearing  the  word  that  is  able  to  save  their  souls.  Others 
who  had  heard  it  you  induce  to  turn  from  God,  and  to  list 
under  the  devil's  banner  again.  Then  you  make  the  suc- 
cess of  your  own  wickedness  an  excuse  for  not  acknowl- 
edging the  work  of  God  !  You  urge  that  not  many  sin- 
ners reformed  ;  and  that  some  of  them  are  as  bad  as  ever  ! 
Whose  foult  is  this  ?  Is  it  ours  or  your  own  ?  Why  have 
not  thousands  more  been  reformed  ?  Yea,  for  every  one 
who  is  now  turned  to  God,  why  are  there  not  ten  thous- 
and ?  Because  you  and  your  associates  labored  too  heart- 
ily in  the  cause  of  hell ;  because  you  and  they  spared  no 
pains  either  to  prevent  or  to  destroy  the  work  of  God ! — 
By  using  all  the  power  and  wisdom  you  had,  you  hindered 
thousands  from  hearing  the  Gospel  which  they  might  have 
found  to  be  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation.  Their 
blood  is  upon  your  heads.    By  inventing  or  countenancing, 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


97 


or  retailing  lies,  some  refined,  some  gross  and  palpable, 
you  hindered  others  from  profiting  by  what  they  did'hear. 
You  are  answerable  to  God  for  these  souls  also.  Many 
who  began  to  taste  the  good  word,  and  run  the  way  of 
God's  commandments,  you,  by  various  methods,  prevailed 
on  to  hear  it  no  more ;  so  they  soon  drew  back  to  perdi- 
tion. But  know,  that  for  every  one  of  these  also,  God 
will  require  an  account  of  you  in  the  day  of  judgment." 

Wesley  lived  in  a  comparatively  dark  age  of  the  world. 
A  supei-stitious  reverence  was  still  felt  for  the  priesthood, 
especially  for  its  higher  order.  The  freedom  of  the  press 
was  not  fully  established.  Wesley  had  made  himself  ex- 
tremely abnoxious  to  the  ministry  of  his  own  church.  He 
had  totally  disregarded  the  established  ways  of  the  church 
and  violated  her  plainest  canons.  Yet  he  could  scandalize 
the  priesthood  with  impunity  !  Could  tell  them  that  there 
were  among  them  "drunkards,"  "  swearers,"  "  liars,"  "  pro- 
faners  of  the  day  of  the  Lord."  Could  charge  an  Arch- 
bishop with  writing  a  paragj-aph  that  did  not  "  contain  one 
true  clause  in  it.''''  Could  charge  his  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry with  "  setting  themselves  with  all  their  might  against 
a  glorious  work  of  Gody  With  "  laboring  heartily  in  the 
cause  of  helV  With  "  inventing  or  countenancing.,  or 
retailing  lies,'''' 

Of  course  those  against  whom  these  charges  were 
brought  did  not  admit  their  truth.  Yet  even  in  that  dark 
age,  among  a  ministry  that  we  are  accustomed  to  regard 
as  very  deficient  in  piety,  there  was  too  much  light  and 
too  much  of  the  spirit  of  Christ  to  attempt  to  put  down 
an  opponent  by  Ecclesiastical  prosecution,  whom  they 
could  not  silence  by  argument !  Can  it  be  possible  that 
in  an  age  and  country  that  boasts  of  the  freedom  of  speech 
and  of  the  press,  the  professed  followers  of  John  Wesley 
should  exhibit  a  degree  of  intolerance  that  was  never  man- 
ifested by  his  bitterest  enemies  in  the  height  of  their  op- 


98 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


position?  The  spirit  that  dictated  the  prosecution  of  last 
year  and  this,  wouhi  be  mucli  more  befitting  a  narrow- 
minded  monk  of  the  middle  age,  than  a  Protestant  Minis- 
ter in  tlie  latter  ])art  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

If,  then,  instead  of  having  had  nothing  to  do  whatever 
with  the  piiblicalion  of  the  oftending  "document,"  I  had 
actually  wriUcn  ii,  no  just  ground  would  have  existed 
ibr  this  partiMin  inal. 

But  let  us  look  more  closely  into  this  matter  of  circu- 
lation. I  think  it  will  be  seen  that  if  the  document  were 
ever  so  unsuitable  lor  circulation,  the  testimony  is  totally 
insufficient  to  convict  me  even  of  that. 

Kev.  J.  P.  Kent,  a  friend  that  I  trust,  testified  that  "  he 
asked  me  for  one  ;  and  that  I  told  him  I  did  not  circulate 
them,  but  had  no  objection  to  his  seeing  the  one  that  I 
had." 

Rev.  R.  Wilcox,  a  local  deacon  in  our  church  in  Pekin, 
where  I  have  labored  the  past  year,  a  man  with  whom  I 
have  been  very  intimate,  testifies  that  he  '■\iirst  saw  the 
pamphlet  after  he  left  home  on  his  way  to  the  Confer- 
ence ! "  Never  saw  one  in  Pekin  !  This  shows  that  I 
could  not  have  been  very  industrious  in  circulating  it. 

The  o«/?/ witness  that  testifies  to  my  having  any  agency 
in  its  circulation  is  Rev.  John  Bowman.  His  testimony  is 
in  substance  as  follows  :  "  Bro.  Roberts  gave  me  a  pack- 
age containing  three  dozen  of  the  pamphlets,  on  the  cars 
between  Lockport  and  JMedina.  lie  requested  me  to  circu- 
late them.  He  desired  me  to  leave  a  portion  of  them  with 
Bro.  Codd  or  Bro.  Williams  of  ^hdina,  provided  I  fell  in 
company  with  thern.  I  asked  him  Avhether  they  were  to 
be  distributed  gratuitously  or  sold  ;  he  said  he  would  like 
to  get  enough  to  defray  the  expenses  of  printing,  but  cir- 
culate them  anyhow.  He  mentioned  he  had  been  at  some 
considerable  expense." 

In  his  cross-examination,  he  says:  "I  was  counsel  for 


FRKE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


99 


defendant  in  his  trial  last  year.  He  appeared  to  repose 
confidence  in  me."  .  ..."  I  told  him  I  would  take 
the  documents  and  consider  the  case.    I  took  them  home 

and  put  them  away  in  a  by-place  About  six 

weeks  ago  I  lent  Dr.  Chamberlayne  several  copies." 

From  this  testimony,  supposing  it  to  be  con-ect — and  it 
is  all  there  is  to  prove  that  I  had  any  agency  in  the  circu- 
lation of  this  "  document " — it  does  not  appear  that  a 
single  copy  ever  became  public  through  my  instrumental- 
ity. The  most  that  can  be  made  of  it  is  that  I  once  made 
an  attempt  to  circulate  it,  but  was  unsuccessful. 

But  let  us  see  what  reliance,  if  any,  is  to  be  placed  on 
this  testimony.  The  conversation  he  professes  to  relate, 
is  alleged  to  have  taken  place  soon  after  1  was  tried  by 
this  Conference,  for  issuing  the  first  edition  of  New  School 
Methodism.  He  says  he  was  my  counsel,  and  that  I  ap- 
peared to  repose  confidence  in  him.  According  to  his  own 
statement  he  was  a  betrayer  of  confidence  !  of  confidence 
growing  out  of  a  professional  relation ;  which  among  the 
most  unprincipled  of  men  is  regarded  as  sacred  !  This 
throws  suspicion  over  his  entire  testimony. 

Hume,  in  his  History  of  England,  in  relating  the  fact 
of  one  nobleman's  accusing  another  in  Parliament  "  of 
having  spoken  to  him  in  private  many  slanderous  words 
of  the  King,"  says  of  the  accuser,  that  he  "  was  certainly 
very  little  delicate  in  the  point  of  honor,  when  he  revealed 
a  private  conversation  to  the  ruin  of  the  person  who  had 
intrusted  him ;  and  we  may  thence  be  more  inclined  to 
believe  the  other's  denial  than  his  asseveration." 

This  is  the  morality  of  an  infidel !  But  little  reliance  is 
to  be  placed  upon  the  declaration  of  that  man  who  be- 
trays his  friend  !  Shall  the  standard  of  morality  among 
Christian  Ministers  fall  below  that  of  unbelievers  ?  Shall 
we  allow  that  the  man  who  wantonly  betrays  his  brother, 
that  had  honored  him  with  his  confidence,  is  to  be  unqual- 


100 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ifiedly  believed  ?*  His  testimony  should  be  taken  at  a 
great  discount,  even  if  it  was  entirely  uncontradicted. 

But,  in  one  material  point,  it  is  contradicted  by  a  wit- 
ness entirely  reliable.  Bowman  says :  "  Bro.  Roberts 
mentioned  that  he  had  been  at  some  considerable  expense, 
in  getting  the  document  printed."  That  I  never  could 
liave  told  him  so,  is  evident  from  the  testimony  of  George 
Estes,  who  published  the  pamphlet.  He  says  that  "  Bro. 
Roberts  had  not,  so  far  as  he  knows,  any  knowledge  that 
its  publication  was  intended  ;  that  he  never  was  responsible, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  for  the  payment  of  its  publication  ;  and 
that  he  (Bro.  Roberts)  never,  to  his  knowledge,  contrib- 
uted anything  to  the  expenses  of  its  publication  !  "  George 
Estes  told  the  truth  ! 

It  is  well  understood  that  in  our  church  trials  we  are 
not  allowed  to  impeach,  in  form,  any  witness  who  is  a 
me  mber  of  our  church,  no  matter  how  easily  it  might  be 
done.  The  only  impeachment  that  is  allowed,  is,  to  show 
that  he  has  made  to  other  persons,  statements  contradict- 
ing those  which  he  has  made  as  a  witness.    If  this  can  be 

*Dante,  the  Milton  of  Italy,  in  his  Dixina  ComecHa,  divides  hell  into  nine  cir 
cles.  The  least  guilty  among  the  lost  he  places  in  the  outer  or  flrst  circle,  where 
the  piinii'limc-iil  is  slightest.  The  more  wicked  are  placed  in  the  second,  and  bo 
on  nrrdidiiiL'  l'>  I  111'  enormity  of  their  crimes.  The  ninth  or  last  circle  is  reserved 
for  Ihr  rniisi  il.iL,'i  I  inns  sinners.  The  circle  is  divided  into  four  wards;  in  the 
inmost  round  of  llie  inmost  circle— the  very  centre  of  hell,  exposed  to  the  imme- 
diate torments  of  Satan  liimsclf— places  thase  who  betrayed  the  confidence  re 
posed  in  ttiem  by  friends.    He  says  : 

'Fraud,  that  in  every  conscience  leaves  a  stinj', 

May  be  by  man  employed  nil  one,  whose  trust 

He  wins,  or  on  another  who  williliDkls 

Strict  confidence.    Seems  as  the  latter  way 

Broke  but  the  bond  of  love  which  Nature  makes. 

The  other  way 

Forgets  both  Nature's  general  love,  and  that 

Which  thereto  added  afterward  gives  birth 

To  special  faith.    Whence  in  the  lesser  circle, 

Point  of  the  universe,  dread  seat  of  Dia, 

The  traitor  is  eternally  consumed." 

Canjftrunslalion.Canlozi.  | 


FREE  METHODIST  CHtTRCH. 


101 


ehown,  the  witness  stands  impeached,  to  all  intents  and 
purposes.    His  testimony  is  to  be  discredited. 

Let  us  see  how  the  case  stands  with  Rev.  John  Bow- 
man. When  called  to  testify  upon  another  point,  he  says, 
"  He  cannot  say  that  there  was  any  thre.af''  made  to  hirn 
if  he  did  not  take  back  what  he  had  said  in  favor  of  Bro. 
Kingsley  :  "  We  all  would  suffer  in  common,  in  conse- 
quence of  our  having  an  inefficient  Pi-esiding  Elder." — 
This,  according  to  his  statement  as  a  witness,  was  all  the 
consequence  that  another  preacher  said  would  follow  to 
him,  "  personally,"  if  he  did  not  retract  his  eulogy  of  Bro. 
Kingsley. 

Compare  this  with  what  he  said  to  others,  in  relation  to 
this  matter. 

Rev.  R.  E.  Thomas  testifies  that  "  Bro.  Bowman  told 
me  that  a  member  of  the  Conference  said  to  him,  if  he  did 
not  take  back  what  he  had  said  in  reference  to  Bro.  Kings- 
ley,  on  the  Conference  floor,  he  would  rue  it." 

Rev.  C.  C.  Church,  Rev.  E.  S.  Furman,  and  Rev.  Wm 
Barrett,  all  testify  to  the  same  efiect  as  Bro.  Thomas. — 
Bro.  Barrett  adds,  that  Bro.  Bowman  told  him,  more  than 
twenty  times  during  the  year,  that  he  had  been  threatened 
by  a  member  of  this  Conference,  if  he  did  not  take  back 
what  he  had  said  in  favor  of  Bro.  Kingslej-. 

We  all  know  how  much  more  readily  we  remember  mat- 
ters affecting  us  personally,  than  we  do  those  which  re- 
late to  others.  Narrating  an  event  frequently,  has,  also, 
a  strong  tendency  to  fix  it  in  the  memory.  Yet  liere  is  a 
threat  made  to  Rev.  John  Bowman  personally,  wliich  he 
has  mentioned  to  four  difterent  preachers,  during  tlie  year, 
and  to  one  of  them  a  score  of  times  at  least,  (others  miglit 
have  been  brought,  if  necessary)  and  yet,  when  he  is  called 
to  testify  in  relation  to  it,  "  He  cannot  say  that  any  threat 
was  made''''  to  him  at  all  I  Can  any  reliance  be  placed  up- 
on a  witness  whose  memory  is  so  treacherous  ?    Not  the 


102 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


least  credit  would  be  given  to  such  testimony  in  a  court 
of  justice.  Such  is  the  only  witness*  brouglit  forward  to 
prove  my  agency  in  the  circulation  of  this  document. — 
Were  not  this  testimony  of  so  extremely  doubtful  charac- 
ter, it  would  still  be  insufficient  to  procure  a  conviction. 
In  the  Statute  Book,  that  ought  to  govern  in  this  case,  we 
read:  "Moreover,  if  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against 
thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone : 
if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother.  But, 
if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two 
more,  that,  iu  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses,  every 
word  may  be  established." — Matt,  xviii.  15,  16. 

The  first  direction  has  never  been  followed.  Though 
the  offense  is  charged  to  have  been  committed  in  the  early 
part  of  the  Conference  year,  no  brother  has  so  much  as 
intimated  that  he  considered  himself  trespassed  against. 

Again,  we  read:  " Against  an  Elder  receive  not  an  ac- 
cusation, but  before  two  or  three  witnessess." — I  Tim.  v. 
19.  In  accordance  with  these  plain  passages,  is  the  pro- 
vision of  our  Discipline,  which  says  :  "  Out  of  tiie  mouth 
of  two  or  three  witnesses,  he  shall  be  condemned." 

This,  then,  is  the  law  of  the  Churcii.  It  requires  the 
testimony  of  two  or  more  witnesses.  The  language  is  ex- 
plicit and  unambiguous.  Some  of  the  2}arties  concerned  in 
this  2)rosecutio7i,  are  far  more  deeply  interested  than  tee 
possibly  ca7i  be,  in  establishing  the  doctrine  that  mure  than 
one  witness  is  necessary  to  secure  the  conviction  of  an  El- 
der. 

In  this  case,  there  is  the  testimony  of  only  one  witness; 


*The  course  of  this  witness  m  Conference  uiaiters  r.-m;n(l8  ouu  of  what  Hutnei  says 
of  the  treacherous  God  of  War : 

"  From  these  to  those  he  flies  . 
And  every  side  of  wavering  combat  tries  . 
Large  promise  makes  and  Ijrealts  the  promise  made, 
Now  gives  the  Grecians,  now  llic  Trojans  aid." 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


103 


mid  that  has  been  impeached,  as  fully  Us  the  testimony  of 
a  Diember  of  ©ur  churcli  can  bo  impeached. 

It  lias  been  urged,  at  great  length,  by  tlie  opposinr; 
counsel,  tliat,  because  we  went  into  the  merits  of  the  case, 
and  showed  that  many  things  in  the  pamphk't  are  true, 
therefore  we  ought  to  be  condemned,  wliether  there  is  9.ny 
proof  that  we  circulated  it  or  not.  This  is  strange  logic. 
We  a-'e  charged  with  publishing,  or  assisting  in  the  Dub- 
lication  and  circulation  of,  a  certain  document;  and,  if 
we  are  to  be  condemned,  we  insist  upon  it,  tlmt  we  ought 
to  be  first  proved  guilty  of  what  has  been  charged  against 
us.  We  protest  against  being  condemned,  because  we 
have  not  conducted  the  defense  in  a  manner  more  satisfac- 
tory to  tlie  opposing  counsel.  My  frietid,  Br.  Stiles,  has 
done  nobly  ;  I  have  done  the  best  1  could  ;  and  if  we  have, 
in  our  inexperience,  committed  any  mistakes  in  tlie  man- 
agement of  this  case,  I  insist  upon  it,  that  I  ought  not  to 
be  brought  in  guilty  of  "  immoral  and  uncliristian  con- 
duct," on  that  account.* 

Tlie  counsel  has  dwelt  long  and  earnestly  upon  the  ag- 
gravated nature  of  the  oiFonse  charged.  If  the  accusation 
had  be4'ii  for  the  most  atrocious  crime,  it  could  not  have 
been  urged  with  greater  vehemence  and  zeal.  Libel  is  an 
oflFense  that  may  or  may  not  involve  moral  delinquency. — 
Some  of  the  best  men  in  our  church  have  been  convicted 
of  libel — not  before  a  partisan  tribunal,  but  by  a  civil 
court,  and  mulcted  in  damages.  The  venerated  Bishops, 
Emery,  and  Waugh,  and  Dr.  Bangs,  were  brought  in,  by 


*Sinoc  tlie  trial,  I  lenrn  that  some  who  votetl  ap:!iinpt  mo,  Rttoiapt  to  rescue 
themselves  on  the  grouiul  that  we  attempted  a  vindication  of  th(^  8tat<,-ments  of 
the  pamphlets.  They  say  if  w,'  had  made  no  drfcnHc  we  would  have  lieen  ac 
quitted.  Yet  tbcpe  eame  men  voted  airaii^Ft  us  last  year  when  we  did  not  ex- 
amine a  Bingle  witness  I  We  attempted  the  examination  of  only  one.  If  thife 
Information  \>e  correct,  it  would  fcom  that  I  was  convicted  of  "  unchrist.an  and 
immoral  conduct,"  not  for  "  publishing  and  circulating"  the  pamphlet,  but  for 
atteniptins  to  bring  to  light  the  secret  doings  of  the  Regency  party  1 


104 


A    HISTORY   OF  THE 


an  impartial  jury,  guilty  of  libeling  a  business  man,  and 
yet  they  suffered  no  loss  of  confidence  on  that  account. 

But  here  the  most  strenuous  exertions  are  put  forth  to 
make  out  that  in  the  long  catalogue  of  crime,  there  is  none 
of  quite  so  deep  a  dye,  as  the  handing,  to  a  supposed 
friend,  of  a  package  of  pamphlets,  which  contain  some  an- 
imadversions upon  a  party  of  men,  which  they  are  pleased 
to  consider  libelous. 

To  the  accusation  which  has  been  so  repeatedly  made, 
of  my  being  a  young  man,  I  plead  guilty.  To  tlie  liabili- 
ty of  human  nature  to  be  miiitaken  in  judgment,  I  claim 
no  exemption.  But  allow  me  to  suggest,  that  if  I  have 
fallen  into  any  mistakes,  the  best  way  to  correct  them 
will  not  be  by  partisan  prosecutions,  under  fi-ivolous  pre- 
texts. Tlieir  tendency  will  rather  be  to  create  the  suspi- 
cion that  my  position  is  one  that  could  not  be  successfully 
assailed  by  argument.  Convince  me  that  I  am  wrong,  and 
you  shall  find  no  man  more  ready  to  confess  it,  and  more 
willing  to  be  set  right. 

Finally,  brethren,  allow  me  to  say  that  I  do  not  affect 
any  indifference  as  to  the  results  of  this  investigation.  I 
have  an  ardent  attachment  for  the  church  of  my  choice. 
I  love  her  doctrines,  her  usages,  and  her  aggressive  spirit. 
If  I  have  erred  at  all,  it  has  been  occasioned  by  loving  the 
church  too  much,  rather  than  too  little.  Any  depai-ture 
from  the  landmarks  of  Methodism  has  awakened  jealous 
solicitude,  and  called  forth  whatever  influence  I  possessed, 
to  persuade  our  people  to  "ask  for  the  old  paths,  that  they 
might  walk  therein."  It  has  been  my  offense  not  to  have 
labored  altogether  in  vain.  We  have  been  favored  by  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church,  with  revivals,  deep  and  pow- 
erful, such  as  has  given  to  our  beloved  Zion  her  present 
position  among  the  Churches  of  the  Lord. 

It  would  be  our  delight  to  continue  to  toil  in  the  same 
blessed  work,  with  what  little  ability  and  energy  the  Lord 


FREE  METITODIST  CIU'RCH. 


105 


has  been  pleased  to  endoM-  us  with.  This,  above  all  others, 
is  the  service  that  I  delight  in,  and  to  which  I  feel  God 
has  specially  called  and  comn\issioned  me  from  on  high. — 
I  do  not  feel  that  my  work  is  done,  nor  my  commission 
from  the  Lord  revoked.  I  love  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Chiu-ch  ;  no  one  has  ever  heard  me  say  ought  against  her ; 
and  I  should  esteem  it  my  highest  privilege  to  be  permit- 
ted to  put  forth  mightier  efforts  than  I  have  ever  done,  to 
build  up  her  walls  and  enlarge  her  borders. 

We  are  hastening  to  a  great,  impartial  tribunal,  before 
which  all  actions  must  pass  in  review,  and  all  secrets  be 
revealed.  There  the  deliberations  of  this  hour,  and  the 
motives  by  which  we  are  governed,  will  be  disclosed  be- 
fore an  assembled  universe.  Remember  it  is  written : — 
"  With  what  judgment  ye  judge,  ye  shall  be  judged  ;  and 

WITH  what  measure  YE  METE,  IT  BHALL  BE  MEASURED  UNTO 
YOU  AGAIN." 

The  case  was  now  submitted,  and  the  accused  formally 
expelled — in  the  utter  absence  of  the  least  particle  of  evi- 
dence to  sustain  the  charge  preferred  against  him. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

HoAV  clear  it  is,  that  the  foregoing  trial  was  all  a  sham  ! 
But  sham  trials  are  no  uncommon  thing.  Tiiey  are  ever 
and  anon  conjured  up  to  save  appeaianccs,  and  aflbrd  im- 
punity to  tyrants,  by  clothing  injustice  and  oppression 
with  the  forms  of  law.  Ecclesiastical,  as  well  as  civil  tri- 
bunals, are  made  the  arena  of  these  shameful  exhibitions 
— an  altar,  even,  upon  which  the  innocent  and  good  have 
been  sacrificed,  in  all  ages  and  countries,  by  the  arm  of 
power.  Such  trials  are  a  mighty  engine  in  the  hands  of 
anti-Christian  Churches ;  and  they  never  fail  to  put  them 
in  requisition  for  the  crushing  out  of  "  enthusiasm,"  "  fa- 
naticism," "  contumacy,"  and  the  like,  as  they  call  the  man' 
ifestations  of  the  love  of  God  in  the  heart ;  except  where 
it  is  deemed  safe  to  dispense  w  ith  even  the  foi'malities  of 
a  trial,  and  rely  on  the  more  summary  process  of  ridding 
themselves  of  those,  whose  war  upon  the  sins  of  the 
Church  give  them  so  much  inconvenience,  by  "withdraw- 
ing them  from  the  Church,  (for  the  Bishop  says  'they  may, 
in  certain  cases,')  without  their  knowledge  or  consent !  " — 
Such  enginery  has  been  vei-y  freely  used,  for  a  few  years 
past,  in  the  Genesee  Conference. 

And  now,  "  Behold  the  man  " — not  "  Jesus  of  Nazareth," 
but  one  of  his  faitli'ul  followers.  Aye,  "  Behold  the  man  :  " 
the  appearance  of  the  devoted  Roberts  before  the  Genesee 
Conference  !  O,  how  it  reminds  one  of  a  trial  which  was 
perpetrated,  more  than  eighteen  hundred  yeai  sago,  at  the 
bar  of  Pontius  Pilate  !  In  both  cases  alike,  the  clamor  of 
the  "  chief  priests  and  elders,"  prevailing  over  the  voice 
lOG 


FREE   METHODIST  CHURCH. 


107 


of  justice  and  humanity,  the  pre-dooraed  victims  were  con- 
demned to  execution.  There  was  this  only  material  ex- 
ception to  the  parallel  of  the  two  cases:  At  Jerusalem, 
"  the  judge  was  supposed  to  be  on  the  prisoner's  side."  In 
the  one  instance,  the  victim  was  crucified,  to  be  sure  ;  and 
that,  too,  under  circumstances  of  the  most  excruciating 
insult  and  cruelty;  in  the  other,  he  was  barely  turned  out 
of  the  church,  by  virtue  of  the  sentence  passed  against 
him — the  laws  of  the  land,  and  the  state  of  public  opinion, 
not  allowing  the  actual  taking  of  life  in  such  case — but 
pursued  at  the  same  time  with  calumnies  and  detraction, 
for  the  evident  purpose  of  shutting  him  out  from  all  hu- 
man sympathy,  and  inflicting  upon  him  something  more 
intolerable  than  crucifixion — aliving  death! 

The  expulsion  of  Messrs.  Roberts  and  McCreery,  was 
followed  by  that  of  Rev's  Mr.  Stiles,  Wells,  Cooley,  and 
Burlingham,  the  next  year  ;  and  the  Conference — either 
to  pacify  the  community,  whose  sense  of  right  and  justice 
she  had  so  shockingly  outraged  by  her  doings,  or,  "  glorj^- 
ing  in  her  shame  " — proceeded  to  publish  something  like  an 
official  report  of  the  matter  in  the  Northern  Christian  Ad- 
vocate. Perhaps,  too,  the  fear  of  the  publication  of  the 
trial,  less  favorable  to  her  administration  and  character,  by 
another  hand,  determined  her  to  endeavor  to  pre-occupy 
the  public  mind  with  her  own  version  of  it.  But  though 
she  cannot  be  suspected  of  putting  forth  a  report  that 
would  be  calculated  to  prejudice  her  own  cause ;  yet,  tak- 
ing the  facts  of  the  case  as  represented  by  herself  even, 
the  whole  proceeding,  in  general,  will  be  seen  to  be  glar- 
ingly at  variance  with  the  Discipline  of  the  Church. 

For  ourself,  we  were  an  utter  stranger  to  these  breth- 
ren, at  the  time  of  their  expulsion,  and  of  course  could 
have  had  no  predilection  in  their  favor;  but  feeling  that 
great  wrong  had  been  done  them,  whoever  they  might  be, 
;uh1  tliat  the  cause  of  God  and  Methodism  had  liccii  dis- 


lOS 


A  HISTORY    OP  THE 


graced  by  tlie  way  they  were  dealt  witli — our  only  knowl- 
edge of  tlie  case  being  derived  from  the  Conference  re 
port — we  took  up  our  pen  and  went  into  a  somewhat  ex- 
tende'd  review,  of  the  matter  soon  after  it  transpired. — 
This  review,  from  the  justness  of  its  criticisms,  and  its 
appropriateness  to  the  character  and  objects  of  the  history 
of  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  is  here  introduced. 

REVIEW. 

For  the  Northern  Independeut. 
Bro.  Hosmer  : — From  the  time  we  first  read  over  the 
report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  in 
relation  to  llev.  L.  Stiles  and  others,  at  its  last  session,  we 
have  felt  that  so  flagrant  an  outrage  upon  our  common 
Methodism  deserved  to  be  held  up  to  the  just  reprehen- 
sion of  the  church  and  of  the  world.  As  it  respects  the 
general  subject,  you  have  done  it  good  justice  in  your 
well-conducted  and  very  candid  editorial  columns.  But  it 
still  remains,  we  think,  to  examine  some  points  a  little 
more  in  detail,  and  to  keep  constantly  in  view  a  matter  so 
vitally  important  to  the  interests  and  character  of  the 
church. 

With  the  exception  of  the  dominant  party  or  clique,  by 
which  some  of  these  brethren  were  arrested  and  thrown 
out  of  the  church,  and  others  made  to  relinquish  the  right 
of  private  judgment  in  deference  to  their  superiors  as  the 
only  condition  of  retaining  their  membership,  the  commu- 
nity have  pronounced  their  trial  a  mere  sham — the  forms 
of  law  liaving  been  taken  on,  while  its  spirit -and  import 
and  true  intent,  as  they  understand  the  matter,  were  shame- 
fully perverted.  We  cannot  say  how  much  glory  they 
may  have  gained  with  those  who  are  ever  ready  to  sub- 
stitute "  law  and  order,"  oflice  and  authority,  for  iiumanity 
and  religion ;  but  nothing  has  ever  transpired  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  judicial  proceedings  of  the  chuixjh,  whicli  has 


l-PKK  METHODIST  CHt'ROH. 


109 


placed  us  in  such  ill-odor  before  the  community  at  large 
fi"om  the  time  we  first  became  a  people  down  to  the  pres- 
ent period.  The  presiding  Bishop,  we  are  sorry  to  say, 
shares  largely  in  the  feeling  of  condemnation  with  which 
those  proceedings  are  regarded. 

In  our  humble  opinion,  the  charges  preferred  against 
tlicsc  brethren,  if  true,  amounted  to  very  little  ;  particu- 
larly when  viewed  in  the  light  of  the  specifications  into 
which  they  were  drawn  out.  But,  in  general,  they  were 
not  true  ;  and  we  are  surprised  that  they  were  entertained 
by  a  grave  and  enlightened  body  of  divines,  for  a  moment. 
Nor  are  we  alone  in  our  opinion.  The  verdict  of  the  pop- 
ular mind  has  been  rendered  to  the  same  effect.  This  ver- 
dict, which  could  only  reach  us  through  the  secular  press, 
and  the  Northern  Independent — there  being  no  other  re- 
ligious paper  which  dare  give  utterance  to  a  sentiment 
that  is  adverse  to  the  slave-power  among  us — determines 
the  proceedings  of  the  Conference  to  be  arbitrary,  illegal 
and  oppressive  :  the  individuals  expelled  having  deserved 
the  confidence  and  commendation  of  their  brethren,  in- 
stead of  the  fate  they  received. 

A  brief  examination  of  the  proceedings  in  question,  as 
reported  by  the  oflicial  organ  of  the  Conference,  will  suf. 
fice  to  satisfy  the  candid  reader,  we  believe,  that  the  opin- 
ion upon  which  the  public  mind  has  settled  down  in  rela- 
tion to  the  matter,  is  unhappily  but  too  well  founded. — 
But  as  the  brethren  excomnuinicated  were  all  good  and 
useful  preachers,  having  been  guilty  of  no  crime,  in  the 
judgment  of  the  people  with  whom  they  lived  and  la- 
bored ;  and  the  charges  on  which  they  were  condemned 
were  substantially  the  same  in  their  nature  and  design ; — 
we  shall  not  trouble  ourselves  to  discriminate  in  respect 
to  the  different  cases  of  trial  which  were  had  by  the  Con 
ference,  but  treat  them  all  under  one  common  liead — leav- 
ing the  reader,  who  must  have  seen  or  heard  the  report  of 


110 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


these  trials,  to  refer  the  matters  of  complaint  to  this  or 
that  individual  complained  of,  according  to  the  facts  in 
the  case. 

The  main  charge  preferred  against  the  reputed  offender, 
was  "  contumacy  " — a  charge  peculiarly  Popish  in  its  char- 
acter, and  always  employed  where  the  accused  individual 
is  intended  to  be  condemned  and  punished  by  authority, 
M'ithout  law  or  evidence.  Nothing,  in  general,  could  go 
farther  to  evince  the  innocence  and  fidelity  of  the  accused, 
and  the  tyranny  and  conscious  injustice  of  the  party  ac- 
cusing, than  the  fact  of  the  arraignment  of  the  former  un- 
der a  charge  of  this  designation.  Of  all  otlier  charges, 
it  is  the  most  appropriate  and  convenient  in  such  cases. 
And  while  the  world  stands,  it  will  continue  to  be  used  as 
the  stereotyped  denomination  of  all  charges  which  have 
nothing  but  the  envy,  or  the  interest,  or  the  dictum  of 
persecuting  tyrants  to  rest  upon. 

But,  flimsy  and  accommodating  as  this  general  charge 
was,  in  the  trial  of  the  accused  brethren  the  specifications 
did  not  sustain  the  charge,  if  able  and  impartial  judges 
are  to  be  credited  in  relation  to  the  matter;  nor  the  evi- 
dence, the  specifications.  Of  this  fact,  a  sufficient  demon- 
stration may  be  seen  in  the  following  brief  analysis  of 
some  of  the  cases : 

1.  Specification:  "  Receiving  expelled  brethren  into  the 
church,  'without  contrition,  confession  and  satisfactory 
reformation,'  as  the  Discipline  requires." 

But,  (1)  this  specification  does  not  prove  the  charge  of 
contumacy — the  charge  of  an  obstinate,  wilful  disobedi- 
ence to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  church.  The  thing 
may  have  been  done,  as  it  often  has  been,  and  the  accused 
declares  it  actually  was,  in  this  instance,  without  any  such 
feeling  or  design. 

And,  (2)  there  was  no  evidence  to  sustain  the  specifica- 
tion ;  as  it  seems  the  "  reformation,"  etc.,  of  the  brethren 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH.  Ill 

received,  was  "  satisfactory  "  to  the  preacher  and  society 
receiving  them,  and  that  was  all-sufficient.  The  Discipline 
did  not  require  that  the  whole  church,  or  the  Conference 
even,  should  be  satisfied  ;  but  merely  the  society  to  whom 
the  application  for  admission  was  made.  But  supposing 
the  accused  had  received  expelled  members  illegally,  why 
did  not  the  Conference  remove  these  members  by  simply 
correcting  the  administration,  or  declaring  it  erroneous ; 
and  leave  the  administrator  untouched  in  his  character  and 
standing,  in  accordance  with  universal  usage?  Why  the 
infliction  of  the  extremest  penalty  known  to  ecclesiastical 
law  ?  When  men  of  the  character  of  Burlingham  are  ex- 
pelled from  the  church  in  violation  of  all  law,  and  of  all 
precedent,  for  a  simple  error  in  administration — which,  by 
the  way,  he  seems  not  to  have  been  guilty  of — we  need  not 
be  surprised  if  the  people  should  take  the  matter  in  hand, 
and  range  themselves  on  the  side  of  the  oppressed. 

2.  Specification ;  "  In  worshiping  with  these  expelled 
members  while  they  were  yet  out  of  the  church."  As  it 
relates  to  this  specification,  it  was  immaterial  to  the  case 
in  hand,  whether  it  sustained  the  general  charge,  or  not; 
since  it  was  not  itself  sustained  by  evidence.  Of  course, 
the  charge  of  contumacy,  attempted  to  be  built  upon  it, 
necessarily  falls  to  the  ground.  The  brethren  accused  did 
indeed  unite  in  religious  worship  with  members  who  had 
been  expelled  ;  but  as  they  had  been  restored  to  member- 
ship again,  and  licensed  to  exhort  by  a  valid,  thougli  it 
might  be  illegal  administration,  they  had  a  perfect  right 
to  worsliip  with  them,  the  same  as  before  they  were  ex- 
pelled;  there  being  no  law  or  usage  of  the  church  to  for- 
bid it.  The  Bishop  himself  decided  that  the  administra- 
tion by  which  these  brethren  were  received  into  the  cliurch 
was  valid ;  and  that  all  were  bound  by  it — preachers  and 
people — till  it  should  be  corrected  by  the  Conference. — 
Why,  then,  should  these  brethren  be  pronounced  guilty 


112 


A   HISTORY  OF  THE 


of  contumacy  in  the  premises?  Was  it  because  the  Con- 
ference were  determined  to  cast  them  out  of  tlie  church  at 
all  events,  and  could  only  execute  their  horrid  purpose  by 
some  such  means?  So  it  is  generally  believed  by  the  com- 
munity ;  and  of  course  the  usefulness  of  those  who  were 
concerned  in  the  business  is  at  end  ;  for  it  is  impossible  to 
benefit  the  people,  as  it  relates  to  their  spiritual  interests 
and  condition,  except  you  have  their  confidence.  We 
would  suggest  whether  the  Rev.  authors  and  procurors  of 
so  unhappy  a  state  of  things  had  not  better  go  into  the 
practice  of  law,  (if  indeed  men  of  their  stamp  should  be 
deemed  worthy  to  be  admitted  at  the  bar,)  and  give  up 
the  sacred  ministry  as  being  altogether  unsuited  to  their 
character  and  taste. 

3.  Specification  :  "  Preaching  within  the  bounds  of  other 
charges  than  their  own." 

And  what  if  they  did?  Does  this  specification  prove 
the  cliarge  of  contumacy  ?  Well,  then,  we  are  all  guilty 
of  it :  for  not  to  insist  that  the  world  is  in  some  sort  the 
parish  of  every  Methodist  preacher,  and  that  "he  is  to 
save  all  the  souls  he  can  ;  going  not  only  to  those  who  want 
him,  but  to  those  wlio  want  him  most;"  the  preaching  be- 
yond tlie  bounds  of  our  own  particular  charges,  or  within 
the  bounds  of  the  charges  of  others,  occasionally,  lias  been 
our  custom  from  the  beginning.  And,  inoreo\'er,  tliere  is 
no  law  against  it,  excejjt  in  tlie  code  lately  eiiactrd  by  the 
Genesee  Conference,  of  wliich  we  sliall  take  lai  tlicr  notice 
liereafter. 

But,  while  the  specification  does  not  sustain  the  charge, 
as  we  have  seen,  the  evidence  does  not  sustain  the  specifi- 
cation. That  the  accused  labored  more  or  less  upon  terri- 
tory lying  between  him  and  his  neighbor,  but  claimed  by 
neither  as  a  part  of  his  original  charge,  was  not  denied. — 
But  Avhat  harm  was  there  in  all  that?  lias  it  come  to 
tliis,  t  hat  we  are  forbidden  to  take  up  new  ground,  in  pal- 


^'KEE  METMODIST  CHURCIJ. 


113 


pable  contraventioL.  of  our  whole  history  and  mission  aa 
Jin  itinerant  ministry,  simply  for  the  reason  that  some 
jealous,  snarling  "  dog  in  the  manger,"  refuses  to  allow  us 
to  eat  the  hay  which  he  will  not  eat  himself?  O,  what  a 
crime  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  our  early  fathers  of  the 
itinerancy,  by  "  going  out  into  the  highways  and  hedges ;  " 
and  who  that  is  spiritually-minded  among  us — having  the 
work  of  the  ministry  at  heart,  and  feeling  more  pleasure 
m  seeking  after  "  the  lost  sheep  "  of  the  house  of  Israel 
among  the  mountains,  than  in  carousing  at  beer  saloons, 
mingling  in  the  midnight  revel,  or  persecuting  his  breth- 
ren for  their  superior  piety — has  not  been'  guilty  of  it  ? — 
Are  all  these  to  be  excommunicated,  therefore  ?  We  will 
attend  to  the  circumstances  of  the  forbidding  these  breth- 
ren to  pass  over  their  ordinary  bounds,  by  their  superiors, 
in  another  connection. 

4.  "  Specification  :  "  The  circulating  a  certain  pamphlet 
which  had  been  interdicted  by  the  Conference." 

Here  again  the  charge  of  contumacy  falls  to  the  ground, 
as  there  was  no  evidence  to  sustain  the  specification  on 
which  it  was  predicated.  It  was,  to  be  sure,  testified  by  a 
solitary  individual,  tliat  the  accused  left  a  package  of  tlie 
pamphlet  with  some  person  ;  but,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
neutralizing  effect  of  his  own  counter-statement  on  the 
subject,  his  uncorroborated  testimony  was  entirely  can- 
celed by  the  denial  of  the  accused.  And  yet,  evidence  or 
no  evidence,  the  victim  liad  been  seized  ;  and  the  conse- 
quence of  a  crime  he  had  never  committed,  and  the  penal- 
ty of  a  law  he  had  never  violated,  must  be  visited  upon 
him  by  Ids  conscientious  brethren.  Another  indication 
this,  of  a  predetermination  to  sacrifice  brethren  against 
whom  no  charge  or  specification  of  crime  could  be  sus- 
tained. How  wonderful  that  a  Bishop  should  have  been 
there,  consenting  \  If  Pilate,  a  heathen  ruler,  who  pre- 
sided at  the  mock  trial  of  the  Saviour,  had  been  in  hia 


114 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


place,  would  he  not  have  washed  his  hands,  and  said,  "  take 
ye  these  men  and  crucify  them,  for  I  find  no  fault  in 
them  "  ? 

We  have  now  given  the  substance  of  "  the  head  and 
froixt  of  the  oftendiiig"  of  the  expelled  brethren — the  sub- 
stance of  the  ciiarges  and  specifications  liroiight  against 
them,  and  the  nominal  evidence  on  M'hich  they  were  turned 
out  of  the  church — and  the  comuiunily  will  jud^^  for 
themselves  of  the  character  of  the  administration  in  the 
premises.  For  ourselves,  we  are  deeply  mortified  and 
grieved,  that  any  of  our  brethren — gi'eat  or  small,  preach- 
ers or  people — should  have  been  arrested  and  expelled 
from  the  cliurch,  on  such  grounds;  and  we  have  been  led 
to  ask,  AVlio  among  us  would  liave  escaped  with  so  little 
to  tarnish  our  rcpiUation,  or  lay  us  open  to  Disciplinary 
paiiis  ami  pciialliL-s,  if  watched  and  pursued  for  so  great  a 
length  of  time  l)y  those  with  whom  we  were  on  terms  of 
familiar  intercourso  'i  Sui  cly,  our  church-membership  must 
be  held  by  the  most  precarious  tenure,  when  we  have 
reached  the  crisis  in  the  administration  of  Discipline  where 
it  may  be  taken  from  us  on  the  ground  of  party  issues, 
rather  tlian  upon  that  of  the  evidence  of  guilt  ! 

Having  shown  tliat  the  clia-rges  against  the  preachers 
hitcly  cxpi'lh-d  from  the  (icm'scc  Conference,  as  reported 
in  the  Xiiii/itni  x  '/t/.s/ /k/i  .[iliu/catc,  invohed  no  cause  of 
action  ;  \^•e  shall  now  proceed  to  inquire,  taking  the  same 
official  i-e))orL  for  our  guide,  by  what  means  their  expulsion 
was  ell'ected.  Am-i  if,  in  the  course  of  this  investigation, 
the  court  shoidd  be  found  to  have  deserved  the  penalty 
v.hich  they  inflicted  upon  the  accused — while  the  latter 
were  fully  vindicated  from  t'ae  slightest  imputation  of 
gniit — the  responsibility  will  rest,  not  upon  us,  but  upon 
ihe  Conference  who  constituted  the  court,  or  their  repoit- 
er.  But  by  what  means  were  several  of  the  most  able  and 
devoted  members  of  the  Conference,  against  whom  no 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


115 


charge  of  crime  or  impropriety  even,  could  be  established, 
expelled  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  'i 

As  a  basis  of  action  in  the  premises,  the  Conference  pro- 
ceeded to  pass  a  set  of  laws,  which,  to  save  appearance, 
they  denominated  "  resolutions."  This  was  the  first  stej» 
in  the  programme.  And,  being  preparatory  to  the  series 
of  trials  which  was  to  follow,  it  is  not  sui'prising  that 
should  be  found  to  correspond  in  its  character  and  bear- 
ing to  the  object  to  be  gained  by  its  adoption.  It  was 
but  reasonable  to  expect  that  unwarrantable  ends  would  be 
sought  to  be  brought  about  by  unwarrantable  measures; 
and  hence  the  extraordinary  course  pursued  by  the  Gene- 
see Conference  in  the  trial  and  expulsion  of  the  brethren 
in  question.  We  pretend  not  to  judge  of  the  motives  of 
the  Conference.  We  are  afraid  they  were  not  the  best, 
however.  But  be  that  as  it  may,  their  course  of  action  in 
the  trials  alluded  to,  was  most  egregiously  wrong ;  and 
we  scruple  not  to  take  issue  with  them  in  regard  to  it,  par- 
ticularly as  it  relates  to  their  law-making  assumptions,  for 
the  following  reasons : 

1.  To  assume  the  law-making  power  was  a  high-handed 
usurpation  ;  for  they  were  not  a  legislative  body,  and  had 
no  right  to  pass  laws  of  any  kind,  much  less  of  a  judicial 
character.  If  it  be  said  that  the  resolutions  passed  by  the 
Conference  upon  the  occasion,  Avere  not  intended  as  laws  ; 
why,  then,  we  would  like  to  know,  were  they  made  a  test 
of  membership — the  accused  brethren  being  passed,  or 
exj)elled,  accordingto  their  conformity,  or  non-fontorinity  ? 
Either  they  were  laws,  or  they  were  not.  If  tlicy  were, 
the  Conference  had  no  right  to  pass  them.  If  thoy  were 
not,  they  had  no  right  to  make  them  a  test  of  membersliip. 
Let  them  take  which  horn  of  the  dilemma  they  will,  and 
they  are  impaled  by  their  own  action. 

2.  These  Conference  laws  were  substituted  for  the  laws 
of  the  Discipline ;  as  well  in  the  final  decision  of  the  case 


116 


A  HISTORY    OP  THE 


of  the  hretln  cii  acoused,  as  in  their  examination,  or  trial. 
Henee  it  was  that  brethren,  promising  to  obey  the  latter, 
were  expelled  nevertheless  for  declining  to  obey  the  for- 
mer. Tliis  will  be  evident  to  any  one  who  looks  over  the 
report  of  the  trial  and  final  disposition  of  the  accused 
brethren. 

3.  Tliese  laws  of  the  Conference  were  eajpos^/'ac^o,  both 
in  their  cliaiacti  r  and  effect;  since  they  were  of  a  charac- 
ter to  be  used,  and  were  actually  used,  to  exclude  brethren 
from  tlie  church  for  "  contumacy,"  in  violating  them  be- 
fore they  were  made. 

4.  They  involved  a  pre-adjndication  of  the  case  of  the 
accused  brethren — a  virtual  condemnation  of  the  individ- 
uals arraigned,  in  advance  of  their  trial — thereby  super- 
seding the  testimony  of  their  witnesses,  and  of  their  plead- 
ings before  the  Conference,  in  contravention  of  all  law, 
and  of  all  justice.  The  moment  these  laws  were  passed, 
»the  exclusion  of  the  accused  brethren  from  the  Church 
was  a  foregone  conclusion.  What  followed  in  the  way  of 
testimony,  and  of  argument,  and  of  law  decisions,  was  a 
mere  matter  of  form  ;  saving  the  appearance  of  arbitrari- 
ness, somewhat,  as  it  was  doubtless  intended  to  do,  but 
having  no  influence  whatever  upon  the  final  result. 

5.  'J'liese  laws  of  the  Genesee  Conference  very  forcibly 
remind  one  of  the  fatal  decree  by  which  Daniel  of  old  was 
cast  into  the  lion's  den.  The  princes  and  officers  of  the 
king  entered  into  a  foul  conspiracy  to  destroy  an  innocent 
man.  They  were  instigated  to  this  abominable  outrage 
by  jealousy  and  hatred.  They  well  knew  that  they  could 
find  no  occasion  against  him,  except  by  means  of  special 
legislation,  or  the  passage  of  a  law  by  which  he  could  be 
convicted  of  "contumacy,"  and  consigned  to  destruction 
for  his  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  God.  And  all  this  in  the 
spirit  and  style  of  fawning  sycophancy  towards  their  mas- 
ter, the  king.    How  far  the  parallel  between  the  courtiers 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


117 


of  the  King  of  Babylon,  and  the  creatures  of  the  slave- 
power  in  the  Genesee  Conference,  will  hold,  in  respect  to 
jealousy  and  hatred  and  conspiracy  and  special  legislation 
and  sycophancy  toward  a  master — Darius  in  the  one  case, 
and  the  slave-power  in  the  other — we  leave  the  communi- 
ty to  judge  for  themselves.  Nor  shall  we  undertake  to 
say,  whether  the  same  terrible  fate  which  overtook  the 
conspirators  of  the  former  case,  will  be  visited  upon  those 
of  the  latter,  or  not.  God  in  his  providence  will  see  to 
that  matter  in  his  own  time  and  way ;  and  here  we  are 
content  to  leave  the  question. 

But  the  programme  of  the  Genesee  Conference  in  rela- 
tion to  Roberts,  Stiles,  and  others,  was  not  fully  carried 
out  when  these  brethren  had  been  barely  expelled  from 
the  church  :  they  must  be  pursued,  especially  by  the  offi- 
cial press,  beyond  her  pale,  and  hunted  down  at  every 
turn  ;  as  if  they  had  no  rights  which  anybody  was  bound 
to  respect.  It  was  not  enough  to  deprive  them  of  their" 
ministerial  character  and  standing  and  support,  and  of  all 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  church-membership  which 
they  counted  so  dear;  their  social  position,  their  business 
prospects  or  means  of  a  livelihood,  and  tlieir  claim  to  the 
common  courtesies  of  life,  must  be  undermined  by  a  sort 
of  mad-dog  cry  that  has  been  sent  abroad  througliout  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  land  against  tlioni. 

And  why  are  these  men  thus  pursued  ?  What  have 
they  done  that  they  should  be  shut  out  like  a  pack  of  out- 
laws, from  the  sympathy  of  human  society  ?  Expulsion 
from  the  church,  even  w'here  it  is  deserved,  ought  to  be 
penalty  enough  for  any  one.  At  any  rate,  it  is  all  we  are 
authorized  to  inflict.  Beyond  this  point,  we  are  to  regard 
the  excluded  member  "  as  aheathen  man,  and  a  publican;" 
i.  e.,  as  any  common  sinner,  who  is  still  entitled  to  our 
sympatl»ies,  our  prayers  and  our  instructions.  Pursuing 
excommunicated  members  beyond  the  pale  of  the  church. 


118 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


is  diabolicallj  malicious — a  course  which  none  but  the 
emissaries  of  the  old  murderer  is  ever  known  to  follow. — 
The  expulsion  of  an  offender  from  the  church  where  hehas 
merited  sut  li  punishment,  is  all  right  and  proper.  It  is 
the  "  delivering  him  to  Satan  for  the  destruction  of  the 
llesli,  lliat  the  soul  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  ;  "  but  the  calling  him  names,  or  casting  a  slur  up- 
on his  character,  and  laboring  to  crush  him  to  death,  after 
he  has  suffered  the  highest  penalty  we  are  authorized  to 
inflict  upon  liim,  in  being  cut  off  from  our  communion,  is 
to  "  deliver  him  to  Satan  for  the  destruction  of  the"  soul, 
and  to  join  our  efforts  with  those  of  his  infernal  majesty 
to  effect  this  most  devilish  object. 

We  have  said  that  to  pursue  these  Genesee  excommuni- 
cates beyond  the  pale  of  the  church,  was  palpably  mali- 
cious; and  so  it  is.  But  this  is  not  the  only  motive-power 
by  which  the  pursuing  party  are  driven  on  in  their  career 
of  cruelty  and  abuse.  They  are  afraid  of  the  light,  and 
must  needs  extinguish  the  last  flickering  ray  that  shines 
upon  their  dark  deeds.  If  the  brethren  are  left  Avith  any 
reputation  for  truth  and  veracity,  the  account  they  give 
of  the  manner  in  which  they  have  been  treated  by  the 
Conference,  will  be  believed  ;  and  then  there  will  be  "  death 
in  the  ])ot."  The  sympathies  of  the  community  will  be 
turned  in  their  favor — tlie  advantages  of  position  and  of 
power  be  thrown  into  tlieir  hands  by  the  popular  will — 
and  the  expelling  i)arty  degraded  to  the  condition  in  which 
tiiey  have  sought  to  place  the  expelled.  Thus  would  Ha- 
inan be  hung  upon  the  gallows  he  had  prepared  for  Mor- 
decai. 

It  is  this  terrible  retribution  they  so  much  fear.  And 
how  are  they  to  provide  against  it  ?  The  answer  seems 
to  be, — "If  we  let  [these  expelled  brethren]  thus  alone, 
all  men  will  believe  on  them :  and  the  Romans  shall  come, 
iind  lake  away  both  our  place  and  nation."    "  By  this 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


119 


craft  we  have  our  wealth."  "  Great  is  Diana  of  the  Ephe- 
sians."  So  these  men,  it  would  seem,  are  not  to  be  let 
alone.  They  have  offended  against  :i  clique  or  party;  nay, 
against  the  slave  power;  and  they  must  he  put  down- 
must  be  immolated  upon  the  altar  of  churcli-saving  ;  and 
tlie  church  and  community  be  put  upon  their  guard,  and 
made  to  look  upon  them  as  fanatics,  as  heretics,  as  mad- 
men, with  whom  it  would  be  dangerous  to  have  anything 
to  do. 

But  how  is  all  this  to  be  done?  is  the  question.  What 
plan  is  to  be  contrived — what  method  employed — to  effect 
an  object  so  desirable,  and  yet  so  difficult  ?  Why,  the 
friends  of  the  oligarchy, — "  the  tools  to  do  it  with," — are 
all  on  hand.  "  Report,  say  they,  and  we  will  report." — 
But  among  these  "  tools,"  none  can  be  relied  on  to  do  the 
same  efficient  service  in  this  line  with  the  official  press. — 
The  facilities  of  this  "tool  "  for  gathering  up  and  scatter- 
ing over  the  land,  the  scavenger-sweepings  of  slander  and 
detraction  whicli  await  its  call  in  respect  to  the  expelled 
brethren,  places  it  in  the  highest  requisition  by  the  party 
controlling  it ;  and  we  are  not  surprised  that  they  should 
have  the  address  to  turn  it  to  their  account.  We  should 
naturally  look  for  them  to  give  to  the  public  "  the  judicial 
history  of  these  men;"  accompanying  it  with  sucli  an. 
notations  and  reflections  as  would  go  to  prejudice  their 
cause  with  the  General  Conference,  and  forestall  the  suc- 
cessful prosecution  of  their  appeal  belbre  that  body — shut- 
ting them  out  from  the  sympatiiies  of  the  community,  and 
•  the  openings  of  business  life,  at  the  same  time,  and  ruin- 
ing them  forever  in  respect  to  their  social  position. 

And  we  should  look,  too,  for  the  tyrannical  expulsion 
of  brethren  whose  only  crime  consisted  in  their  peculiar 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  God  and  humanity,  to  be  followed 
by  that  crowning  act  of  tyranny— the  interdiction  of  the 
freedom  of  the  press!    The  Northern  Indi-jxnJA'iU — the 


120 


A  HISTORY    OP  THE 


only  religious  paper  among  us  that  dare  open  its  mouth 
for  the  oppressed,  and  expose  the  stygian  villatiy  of  the 
oppressor — must  be  strangled,  or  forced  out  of  circulation 
by  an  official  decree ;  and  the  flood-gates  of  a  popular  re- 
ligion be  hoisted  over  our  heads.  All  this  must  be  done. 
The  free  press  must  be  silenced,  and  the  official  organs  of 
the  church  alone  be  allowed  to  represent  the  doings  of 
her  "chief  ministers,"  or  her  proscribed  childi-en,  and  their 
proscribed  cause,  will  survive  the  storm  of  persecution 
that  is  raging  about  them,  and  their  persecutors  and  op- 
pressors be  consigned  to  merited  infamy  and  contempt. — 
O,  cursed  slave  power !  What  hast  thou  done  ?  A  hand- 
ful of  piratical  slave-holders  at  the  South  have  gone  on, 
increasing  their  exactions,  and  multiplying  their  encroach- 
ments upon  the  North,  till  their  career  of  despotism  and 
villany  has  culminated  in  the  foulest  treason.  They  must 
now  possess  the  absolute  control  of  the  government — fill- 
ing all  its  offices,  and  sharing  all  its  emoluments — or  "  dis- 
solve the  Union."  And  so  with  the  church.  A  miserable 
minority — corresponding  to  that  of  the  Slate — must  "  have 
the  pre-eminence  in  all  things ; "  monopolizing  every  post 
of  honor  and  profit  at  our  disposal ;  nay,  must  "  rule  or 
ruin." 

The  prediction  we  uttered  more  than  three  years  ago, 
that  the  freedom  of  the  press  would,  ere  long,  be  inter- 
dicted among  us  by  churcii  authority,  has  already  become 
history.  "  The  decree  has  gone  forth."  The  Independeiit 
is  put  under  the  ban — put  upon  the  "  inde  x  expurgato- 
rius  " — and  the  charge  and  penalty  of  "  contumacy,"  pre- 
paratory to  which  this  Conference  legislation  was  had, 
will  henceforth  be  visited  upon  all  who  presume  to  disre- 
gard the  unauthorized  enactment.  How  truly  Babylonian 
the  stratagem  here  concocted  !  A  law  is  passed  which  it 
was  understood  no  genuine  Christian,  or  man  of  common 
integrity  even,  could  obey ;  on  purpose,  uo  doubt,  to  pro- 


FRKE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


121 


voke  the  commission  of  the  Popish  crime  of  "  contumacy  ;  " 
and  thereby  furnish  an  occasion  for  the  expulsion  of  those 
faithful,  praying  ones,  who  could  neither  be  persuaded  to 
cease  their  denunciation  of  i)opular  sins,  nor  driven  into  se- 
cession. 

We  now  come  to  consider  the  part  which  the  presiding 
Bishop  took  in  the  late  famous  trials  of  the  Genesee  Con 
ference.  To  pass  bim  by,  and  go  into  a  critique  on  tlie 
proceedings  of  the  Conference  in  the  premises,  would  be 
disrespectful  to  him  ;  and  this  will  never  do,  though  it 
were  barely  on  account  of  the  office  he  occupies. 

The  simple  reading  over  the  report  of  the  administra- 
tion of  tlie  Bishop  in  regard  to  tlie  aforesaid  trials,  sufH- 
ciently  evinces  his  unfortunate  leanings  to  the  side  of  the 
prosecuting  party.  Prima  facie  evidence  of  his  co-opera- 
tion with  the  friends  and  advocates  of  Border-churchism, 
is  thought  to  be  strikingly  manifest  in  every  position  he 
takes  ;  and  not  a  few  are  of  opinion  that  his  strange  rul- 
ing, more  than  anything  else,  contributed  to  the  condem- 
nation of  the  accused.  At  all  events,  there  are  some  of 
Lis  decisions  and  teachings  which  it  would  be  difficult  to 
account  for,  except  upon  the  supposition  that  such  was 
the  result  at  which  he  aimed. 

It  is  a  well-established  maxim  in  criminal  jurisprudence, 
that  "the  judge  is  sui)posed  to  be  on  the  side  of  tlie  pris- 
oner." A  brief  survey  of  a  few  of  the  multitudinous 
law  decisions  of  the  Bishop  upon  the  occasion,  will  show 
how  far  he  acted  upon  the  principle  of  this  maxim.  II' 
the  fair  reputation  which  had  been  previously  accorded  to 
him  for  impartiality  and  candor,  do  not  sutfer  an  almost 
total  eclipse  in  the  public  estimation,  by  reason  of  his  de- 
cisions and  rulings  in  the  case,  we  shall  be  happily  disap- 
pointed. 

1.  In  one  instance  he  decides — the  cause  of  "  t*he  Re- 
gency," as  the  prosecuting  party  were  called,  seeming  to 


122 


A  MISTOEV  OF  THE 


require  it — tliat  the  adininistrfition  of  a  preacher,  in  re- 
spect to  any  matter  falling  within  his  appropriate  juris- 
diction, was  valid,  however  illegal  it  Jiiight  be;  and  tliat 
all  were  bound  by  it,  till  it  should  be  set  aside  or  corrected 
by  the  Annual  Conference.  Wliicli  was  all  right.  But 
again  he  decides — the  party  interest  having  shifted  grounds 
in  tliis  instance — that  such  administration  was  invalid ; 
and  that  consequently  no  one  was  bound  by  it.  Did  the 
liisliopV;  memory  fail  him  liere?  Had  he  forgotten  the 
iirst  decision,  when  he  pronounced  the  second?  Perhaps 
it  may  have  been  found  a  great  convenience  in  the  admin- 
istration of  justice,  (V)  to  have  one  <lecision  for  "the  Re- 
gency," and  anotlier  for  "the  Nazarites." 

lie  decides  that  the  official  board  of  a  circuit  or  sta- 
tion, emhraeing  tlse  preachei-  in  cliarge,  may  dissolve  tlie 
connection  of  a  church  member  with  the  church,  in  some 
cases,  l)y  simply  declaring  him  withdrawn;  even  without 
his  knowledge  or  (;onsent.  Well,  this  is  the  first  intima- 
tion we  ever  had,  tliat  the  official  board  constituted  a  branch 
of  our  ecclesiastical  judiciary;  or  Iiad  aught  to  do  with 
our  membership  in  any  way.  We  liad  always  supposed 
that,  with  the  exception  of  cases  of  removal  by  death,  and 
of  voluntary  withdrawal,  it  required  the  action  of  "  tlie 
society,  or  a  select  number  of  tlieni,"  t  o  deprive  us  of  O"- 
iTienibership.  And  liad  we  always  been  mistaken  ?  If 
oui-  nu'nil»crshi|)  lies  in  the  hands  of  the  official  board,  a 
majority  of  wliose  offices  are  in  the  gift  of  the  preacher, 
it  might  as  well  lie  in  the  hands  of  the  preacher  himself. 
And 'are  we  indeed  dependent  on  the  will  of  the  preacher 
for  our  standing  in  the  church  ?  Is  this  IMethodism  ? — 
Whether  the  Bishop  intended  to  establish  a  precedent  of 
the  usurpntion  of  absolute  power  on  the  part  oif  tlie  min- 
imi rv  liy  this  (lr(  i>i<)ii :  or  to  save  the  neck  of  a  Regency 
brol  luH  ,  w  hose  arliitrary  exclusion  of  one  of  his  charge 
rccjuiieu  such  a  decision  to  cover  it,  may  be  difficult  totell 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUKCH. 


l2o 


Possibly,  this  was  deemed  a  fit  oj3casion  for  placing  the 
membership  in  absolute  subjection  to  the  ministry — as  it 
could  now  be  done,  so  far  as  the  precedent  of  the  Episco- 
pal decision  of  a  law  question  was  concerned — at  the  same 
time  tliat  the  cause  of  a  favorite  party  could  be  saved, 
and  one  of  their  number  cleared  of  a  charge  which  would 
have  been  adjudged  sufficient  to  expel  a  poor  Nazm  iie 
from  the  church. 

3.  He  decided  that  the  pastor,  together  with  the  offi- 
cial board,  had  the  power  to  appoint  all  meetings.  And, 
in  another  connection,  that  no  meetings  could  be  legally 
appointed  for  religious  worship,  except  by  the  official 
board.  Here  again  is  the  doctrine  of  centralization — the 
placing  our  religious  exercises,  as  well  as  our  membership, 
in  the  hands  of  the  official  board,  a  body  that  has  nothing 
to  do  with  either.  That  the  official  board,  as  indb'dduals, 
and  in  some  other  relations,  have  more  or  less  to  do  with 
our  social  duties  and  church-membership,  is  not  denied ; 
but  nothing  under  heaven  in  the  character  of  an  official 
board.  And  we  cannot  see  what  good  object  the  Bishop 
could  have  had  for  investing  that  board  with  so  much  au- 
thority, or  clothing  it  with  powers  and  prerogatives  which 
the  Discipline  distributes  to  other  functionaries  of  the 
church.  Leaving  the  object  of  the  Bishop  out  of  the 
question,  however,  he  has  evidently  committed  two  palpa- 
ble errors  here:  the  one,  in  making  the  j)ower  of  the 
preacher  to  appoint  religious  meetings  depend  on  the  co- 
operation of  the  official  board — he  havir:g  the  power  to  do 
it  when  and  where  he  thinks  proper,  upon  his  own  respon- 
sibility; the  other  in  limiting  that  power  to  the  official 
board — in  connection  with  the  preacher  in  charge,  we  sup- 
pose, though  he  does  not  say  so — since  local  preachers  and 
exhorters  are  authorized,  not  only  by  the  very  terms  of 
their  license  or  parchment,  as  the  case  may  be,  but  by  im- 
memorial and  universal  custom,  to  appoint  their  own 


124 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


meetings;  and  it  has  always  been  our  practice  to  urge 
them  out  into  the  field,  to  labor  for  God  and  souls,  wher- 
ever and  whenever  they  could  find  an  opening.  And  even 
class-leaders  Iiave  been  in  the  habit  of  appointing  prayer- 
meetings  for  their  own  classes  ;  and  private  individuals, 
male  and  female,  in  their  own  houses — "none  daring  to 
molest,  or  make  them  afraid."  But  now  that  the  ukase 
of  one  of  the  junior  Bishops  has  been  issued  on  the  sub- 
ject, we  must  take  care  how  we  open  our  mouths  in  social 
prayer  or  praise,  except  at  the  dictum  of  the  preacher  in 
charge.  And  how  long  before  this  ghostly  fiither  will  be 
authorized  by  another  Episcopal  decision,  or  an  official 
construction  of  the  one  under  consideration,  to  claim  the 
absolute  control  of  the  family  altar,  and  of  the  closet 
even,  it  is  not  for  us  to  say.  But,  as  things  have  gone  on 
of  late,  it  will  not  be  a  great  wliile.  And  close  upon  the 
heels  of  such  a  stride,  a  little  farther  development  of  the 
power  of  the  Bishop  may  teach  us,  that  the  pardon  of  our 
sins,  and  a  passport  to  heaven,  is  to  be  sought  at  the 
hands  of  the  priest ! 

4.  He  decided  that  all  meetings,  otherwise  appointed 
than  by  the  aforesaid  authority,  are  "irregular;"  and  that 
a  ))reacher  has  the  right  to  suppress  them,  at  his  own  dis- 
cretion. But  this  decision  covers  a  little  too  much  ground 
for  Protestantism — nay,  for  Christianity  itself:  for  not 
only  Wesley  and  Luther,  but  Christ  and  the  apostles  even, 
went  largely  into  meetings  of  this  description ;  and  the 
churches  raised  up  by  them  respectively,  were  the  fruit 
of  such  meetings.  If  an  English  priest  might  have  sup- 
pressed the  meetings  of  Wesley,  a  Popish  priest  the  meet- 
ings of  Luther,  and  a  Jewish  priest  the  meetings  of  Christ 
and  the  apostles,  in  accordance  with  the  decisions  of  the 
Bishop,  what  would  have  become  of  tlie  living  Cliristiau 
Church  ere  this  age  of  the  world  V  Would  tlie  "  regular 
order  "  of  Judaism,  or  of  Popery,  or  of  Eiiglisli  Chwrchisiu, 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


125 


have  sufficed  to  preserve  it  ?  Alas !  for  a  Methodist  Bish- 
op, who  condemns  irregular  meetings,  when  the  very  church 
over  which  he  has  been  appointed  to  preside,  owes  her 
existence  to  them  !  Mrs.  Susanna  Wesley — the  mother 
of  our  noble  founder,  and,  indeed,  of  Methodism  itself — 
held  irregular  meetings  in  her  day  ;  and  her  husband  and 
pastor — a  staunch  old  English  clergyman — less  intolerant 
than  a  Methodist  Bishop,  dare  not  take  the  responsibility 
of  suppressing  them  at  his  own  discretion.  And  who  that 
has  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes,  would  be  willing  to 
answer  for  such  a  deed  at  the  bar  of  final  judgment, 
though  authorized  to  perpetrate  the  abomination  by  the 
decision  of  a  thousand  Bishops  ?  If  any  of  our  ministers 
or  members  are  guilty  of  crime — whether  committed  in 
meeting  or  out  of  meeting — in  meeting  regular,  or  irregu- 
lar— let  them  be  called  to  account  for  it.  But  for  heaven's 
sake,  let  none  of  us  ever  molest  any  one  for  going  into  re- 
ligious meetings  to  worship  God,  and  get  souls  converted 
and  saved,  simply  because  they  are  "irregular."  This 
substituting  the  letter  for  the  spirit — the  order  and  author- 
ity of  the  church  for  the  life  and  power  of  religion — has 
always  marked  the  decline  of  the  Church :  always  been 
the  precursor  and  means  of  her  downfall.  It  seems  to  us 
high  time  that  we  ponder  these  historic  facts,  when  the 
faithful  are  being  excluded  from  our  fellowship  for  no 
other  crime  than  the  seeking  spiritual  food — independently 
of  that  unscriptural  church-order  whicli  restricts  them  to 
the  husks  of  a  cold  and  heartless  formalism. 

5.  Another  decision  was,  that  members  on  trial  could 
not  be  appointed  to  any  official  station,  or  licensed  to  ex- 
hort. "Where's  the  Discipline  for  this  ?  The  usage  has 
always  been  otherwise.  We  should  like  to  know  whether 
St.  Paul  stood  out  a  six  months'  probation,  and  was  re- 
ceived into  full  membership,  before  he.was  licensed  to  ex- 
hort.   But  the  object  of  this  decision  evidently  was,  to 


126 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


jiave  the  way  for  the  coiiclemiiation  of  Stiles  and  others 
for  recognizing  Roberts  and  McCreery  as  exhortcrs  before 
their  term  of  probation  had  expired.  Admitting,  howev- 
er, that  the  licensing  these  probationers  to  exhort  were  il- 
legal, it  was  valid^  nevertheless  ;  and  all  were  bound  by 
it,  for  the  time  being  ;  according  to  the  Bishop's  own  pre- 
vious decision.  Why  then  should  brethren  be  condemned 
for  associating  with  them  as  public  laborers  ?  To  have 
refused  to  recognize  these  brethren  as  exhorters — coming 
to  them  as  they  did,  with  a  valid  license  in  their  hands — 
would  have  been  to  usurp  the  prerogative  of  the  Annual 
Conference,  and  to  nullify  the  valid  administration  of  a 
co-ordinate  authority.  And  in  that  case,  there  would  have 
been  ample  cause  of  a('tion  against  them  ;  and  they  might 
Lave  been  justly  convicted  of  "contumacy,"  or  some 
equivalent  oifense,  upon  good  and  sufficient  grounds.  But 
as  it  was,  they  were  condemned  and  punished  for  doing 
their  duty — condemned  and  punished  for  obeying  the  laws 
of  the  church!  Did  the  cause  of  the  pro-slavery  Regency 
require  this  barbarous  immolation  of  the  innocent,  and  the 
good  ? 

6.  The  only  remaining  decision  of  the  Bishop  we  shall 
notice  in  this  review,  was,  that  no  preacher'  had  a  right  to 
drop  or  take  up  an  appointment,  without  authority  from 
his  superior  officer.  This  doctrine  seems  a  little  too  strin- 
gent for  the  meridian  of  our  itinerant,  "go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,"  system. 
We  should  tliink,  from  Part  I.,  chap.  IV.,  sec.  XIIL,  of 
Dis.,  that  a  suhordinate  preacher  had  some  discretion  in 
the  premises.  At  any  rate,  he  has  always  exercised  more 
or  less  in  respect  to  things  of  this  kind  ;  particularly  in 
pioneer  times,  and  large  districts,  where  he  seldom  could 
see  "his  superior  officer;"  and  we  never  knew  any  fuss 
to  be  made  about  it  before.  Nor  can  we  suppress  the  be- 
lief, so  universally  entertained,  that  it  was  not  the  intei'est 


FIJEE  METIIOniST  CIIUKCII. 


of  the  Churchy  but  of  a  pai'tij,  wliicli  blew  up  sucli  a  Ivv- 
rible  flame  on  the  subject  at  tlie  scssiou  of  llie  Gen- 
esee Conference.  The  reference  tlie  Bisliop  inukes  to  the 
General  Conference  in  support  of  liis  (kcision  liere,  seems 
to  us  ratl)er  dubious.  We  wisli  he  had  qiiuted  liis  author- 
ity; or,  at  least,  told  us  where  to  iiud  il.  And  even  tlien, 
wo  should  have  been  iiiucli  better  pleased  if  lie  liad  read 
us  a  passage  from  the  l)isci])line. 

But  if  it  be  so  great  a  crime  for  a  preaclier  to  enlarge 
the  sphere  of  his  activities  "  without  authority  from  Iiis 
superior  officer,"  what  shall  we  think  of  an  officer  of  the 
Genesee  Conference,  leaving  his  prescribed  field  of  labor 
for  a  considerable  jtortiou  of  the  time  ;  drawing  liis  full 
salaiy  from  tlie  Book  Concern  meanwhile :  and  lilling  an- 
other charge,  beyond  his  aj^pointed  limits,  at  the  compen- 
sation of  a  tliousand  dollars  more  ?  What,  we  ask,  shall 
we  think  of  all  this  ?  Or  of  his  making  the  tour  of  Eu- 
rope— still  enjoying  the  same  fat  salary,  us  we  are  told — 
whUe  others  ai  e  paid  Irom  the  Book  Room  for  supplying 
liis  lack  of  st'i-viet  at  home  'i  What  "superior  officer"  has 
authorized  him  to  do  all  these  things?  Were  the  laws  of 
the  Genesee  Conference,  with  their  accomj)anying  inter- 
pretations and  decisions  by  the  Chair,  ajjplied  to  Jiini,  who 
does  not  see  the  result  ?  And  why,  we  would  ask  the 
Bishop,  why  should  they  not  be  so  applied?  Why  "make 
flesh  of  one,  and  fish  of  another  "  ?  There  are  doubtless 
some  hundreds  among  the  ministry,  who  could  poorly 
abide -such  test;  nor  can  we  tell  how  the  Bishop  himself 
would  contrive  to  escape,  for  he,  too,  as  we  understand  the 
case,  ventured  "ofi"  the  limits,"  and  wandered  away  to  tiie 
Holy  Land,  "  without  authority  from  his  superior  officer." 
"  Thou,  thei'efore,  that  teachest  another,  teachest  thou  thy- 
self? Thou  that  teachest  a  man  should  not  steal,  dost 
thou  steal?  Thou  that  makest  thy  boast  of  the  law, 
tlirougli  breaking  the  law  dishonorest  thou  God  ?  "  The 


128 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


difference  between  the  two  cases  arising  from  the  circum- 
stance of  the  Genesee  brethren  being  forbidden  to  go 
abroad,  or  enter  upon  new  ground  by  "  their  superior  of- 
ficers," amounts  to  nothing  ;  since  this  forbidding,  as  it 
would  seem  from  the  testimony  in  tlie  case,  was  tlie  effect, 
not  of  right  or  necessity,  but  of  a  mean  and  miserable 
party  jealousy ;  and  was  designed  to  involve  them  in  the 
sin  (?)  of  "  contumacy,"  which  it  was  foreseen  their  con- 
sciences and  their  manhood  would  impel  them  to  commit. 

But  though  this  review  of  the  extraordinary  proceed- 
ings of  the  Genesee  Conference,  and  of  the  still  more  ex- 
traordinary course  of  the  presiding  Bishop,  in  relation  to 
the  Church  trials  by  wliich  their  late  session  was  distin- 
guished, might  be  readily  expanded  into  a  volume,  em- 
bracing, as  they  do,  a  number  of  questions  of  vital  im- 
portance to  our  ecclesiastical  jurisprudence:  yet  we  must 
dismiss  the  subject,  for  the  present  at  least,  witli  a  cursory 
examination  of  one  single  point  farther.  And  what  do 
you  think  it  is  ?  It  is  not  the  recognition  of  the  famous 
five  resolutions  of  the  Conference  on  the  part  of  the 
Bishop,  as  so  many  laws,  and  his  examination  of  the  ac- 
cused in  reference  to  these  Conference  statutes,  instead  of 
making  the  Discipline  his  ultimate  authority ;  nor  the 
"  warning  "  these  brethren  "  as  their  chief  pastor,"  to  ab- 
stain from  any  farther  attendance  upon  irregular  meet- 
ings, and  the  like,  to  which  we  i-efer.  No :  nor  yet  the 
peremptory  ordering  of  brethren,  as  wise  and  as  good,  to 
say  the  least,  as  himself,  to  leave  a  camp-meeting  where 
scores  were  being  converted  to  God,  and  made  holy,  on 
pain  of  arraignment  before  the  church  for  the  enormous 
crime  of  engaging  in  Divine  worship  irregularly.  All  these 
points,  in  relation  to  Episcopal  Geneseism,  tliough  suffi- 
ciently humiliating  and  offensive,  we  propose  to  pass  ovei 
without  comment :  a  bare  reference  to  them  being  suffi- 
cient to  stamp  them  with  merited  condemnation  and  scorn. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


The  point  lo  be  examined  before  we  take  leave  of  the 
Genesee  administration,  and  which,  by  the  way,  involves 
the  verj^  gist,  or  principle,  of  the  last-named  particular,  is 
neither  less  nor  more  than  the  right  of  private  judgment 
on  the  part  of  the  body  of  the  ministry.  A  right  on 
which  tlie  Bishop  descants,  liaving  placed  his  official  ne- 
gation upon  it,  with  so  much  arrogance  and  pertinacit  y- 

A  surrender  of  the  right  of  private  judgment,  as  Meth- 
odist preachers,  is  now  claimed  at  our  hands.  It  was  con- 
tended by  the  Bishop,  in  connectiou  with  the  Genesee 
trials,  that  we  had  already  made  it,  in  becoming  members 
of  the  Conference ;  and  he  was  greatly  surprised,  as  if 
some  new  thing  had  happened  under  the  sun,  that  any  of 
the  inferior  ministry  should  presume  to  assert,  or  exercise 
such  right  in  tiie  very  face  of  the  vows  they  had  solemnly 
taken  upon  themselves  at  their  ordination.  Fiom  the  tone 
of  the  annunciations  of  the  Bishop  and  of  the  otlicial 
press,  with  respect  to  this  right — the  spirit  in  which  they 
dogmatize  about  law  and  order,  judicial  decisions  and 
church  authority — and  the  everlasting  changes  wrung  up- 
on the  twelfth  "  rule  for  the  conduct  of  preachers,"  as  by 
the  preachers  of  the  South  upon  "  servants  obey  your  mas- 
ters," and  the  like ;  we  would  seem  to  have  become  tran- 
substantiated into  the  very  Church  of  Rome,  where  the 
inferior  clergy,  as  well  as  the  people,  are  all  swallowed  up 
— faith,  conscience,  private  judgment,  and  all — in  the  in- 
fallibility of  the  Pope. 

That  we  have  surrendered  "our  own  wilV^ — not  our  pri- 
vate judgment,  but  "our  own  will"  to  those  who  have 
the  rule  over  us,"  is  not  denied.  But  even  this  surrender 
of  " our  will"  is  far  from  being  absolute.  It  is  both  lim- 
ited in  its  nature,  and  conditional  in  its  exercise.  Limited 
to  those  tilings  in  which  "  our  superiors  "  have  a  right  to 
command  us,  and  conditioned  upon  the  contingency  of  the 
righteousness  of  their  commands.    It  is  worse  than  idle 


180 


A   IIISTOKY  OF  THE 


for  them  to  attempt  to  control  us  in  things  beyond  their 
legitimate  jurisdiction,  while  they  themselves  are  playing 
the  tyrant  at  our  expense.  The  obligation  between  us  ia 
mutual ;  the  same  as  between  parents  and  cliildren ;  the 
I'elative  duty  of  the  one,  depending  on  that  of  the  other. 
Children,  to  be  sure,  are  commanded  to  "  obey  their  pa- 
i-ents  in  all  things ;  "  but  it  is  only  in  those  things,  after 
all,  in  which  parents  have  a  right  to  command  them — and, 
to  obey  them  always,  i.  e.,  whenever  the  command  is  just 
and  proper.  So  in  regard  to  "  our  chief  ministers ;  "  we  are 
required  to  obey  them,  it  is  true,  but  only  so  far  as  they 
are  authorized  to  command  us,  and  their  commands  are  in 
accordance  with  the  Discipline  and  the  Word  of  God, — 
In  both  cases,  as  the  authority  of  the  governing  party  to 
command  ceases  the  moment  they  go  beyond  these  bounds, 
so  the  obligation  of  the  governed  to  obey  ceases  precisely 
at  the  same  point. 

We  most  cheerfully  acknowledge,  that  obedience  to  the 
'■'■godly  admonitions  and  judgments "  of  our  bishops  is 
obligatory  upon  us.  At  the  same  time,  we  are  not  only 
not  bound  to  obey  their  ungodly  "  admonitions  and  judg- 
ments," but  we  are  bound  not  to  obey  them.  And  it  is 
botli  our  right,  and  our  duty  to  discriminate  as  to  what  is 
godly,  and  what  ungodly,  in  the  exercise  of  our  own  pri- 
vate judgment.  We  claim  the  right  of  private  judgment 
as  our  own.  It  is  inalienable — a  right  we  never  have  sur- 
rendered, and  never  will.  It  is  indeed  our  birtli-right ;  be- 
longing essentially  to  our  moral  being — our  accountability 
to  God — and  to  Him  alone  are  we  responsible  for  its  due 
and  proper  exercise.  To  surrender  it  to  man,  whether 
bishop,  pope,  or  "  Mother  Church"  even,  would  be  treason 
aoainst  God  our  Saviour,  who  has  placed  it  beyond  the 
control  of  any  but  ourselves — requiring  us  to  exercise  it, 
in  subordination  to  His  will  alone,  upon  our  everlasting 
peril,    If  the  attempt  to  compel  us  to  surrender  this  right 


PBEE  METHODIST  CHURCU. 


131 


to  "  our  superior  officers  "  be  persisted  in,  we  wish  it  to  be 
understood  that  we  believe  in  passive  resistance :  a  glori- 
ous illusti'ation  of  which  we  have  in  the  history  of  Daniel 
and  James,  and  John,  and  Luther,  and  Wesley,  and  all  the 
holy  martyrs;  and  we  will  never  do  wrong  in  obedience 
to  any  authority.  We  shall  follow  the  impulsions  of  our 
own  untramraeled  consciences — the  decisions  of  our  own 
private  judgments,  if  the  bishop  please — and,  if  called  to 
it  in  the  order  of  Divine  Providence,  shall  not  hesitate  to 
"resist  unto  blood,  striving  against  sin." 


CHAPTER  nr. 


Upon  the  expulsion  of  Mr.  Roberts  from  the  Church,  he 
took  an  appeal  to  the  General  Conference ;  and  pending 
the  appeal — a  period  of  about  two  years — the  spirit  of 
persecution,  already  inflamed  against  the  so-called  Nazar- 
ites,  became  rampant,  and  burst  forth  with  a  violence  which 
threatened  their  universal  and  speedy  extirpation.  The 
madness  of  Saul  of  Tai'sus  in  persecuting  the  saints  of  his 
time,  even  unto  strange  cities,  scarcely  exceeded  the  rage 
with  which  the  living  portion  of  the  Church  were  hunted 
down  by  the  secret-society,  worldly-minded,  apostate  ma- 
jority of  the  Conference  during  this  period.  The  truly 
faithful,  without  respect  to  age,  sex,  or  condition,  were 
brought  before  inquisitorial  committees  ;  and  large  num- 
bers, lay  and  clerical,  were  hustled  out  of  the  Church  in 
some  way,  or  forced  into  the  leading-strings  of  the  domi- 
nant party.  It  was,  indeed,  a  reign  of  terror.  Ridicule, 
disfranchisement,  sham  trial,  and  various  other  contrivan- 
ces, well  known  to  the  order  of  Jesuits,  were  put  under 
contribution  for  the  crushing  out  of  the  life  and  power  of 
religion ;  and  wide-spread  desolation,  as  the  result  of  these 
outrageous  persecutions,  were  seen  to  pervade  the  Confer- 
ence througliout  all  its  borders. 

We  shall  here  present  two  several  extracts:  tlie  one 
from  the  Buffalo  Advocate — the  organ  of  the  Genesee 
Conference — and  the  other  from  the  JNIinutes  of  the  Con- 
ference itself;  fully  confirming  what  we  have  said  above 
in  regard  to  the  condition  of  the  Church,  by  lier  own  ac- 
knowledgment. The  first  of  these  extracts  is  furnished  by 
132 


FUEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


133 


Rev.  Wm.  Hart ;  the  other  by  Rev.  Wm.  Hosmer — each 
accompanying  his  own  extract,  respectively,  with  appro- 
priate remarks.  We  give  both  the  extracts  and  the  re- 
marks, just  as  they  came  into  our  hands.  Tliey  will  speak 
for  themselves. 

Mr.  Hart  says:  "The  following  deplorable  state  of  re- 
ligious feeling  and  interest,  we  find  copied  into  the  Advo- 
cate and  Journal  of  March  10th,  from  tlie  Buffalo  Advo- 
cate, as  follows : 

"  '  Buffalo. — The  Advocate,  in  an  article  headed,  "  Re- 
ligious Interest  in  Buffalo,"  says:  We  have  none ;  we  have 
no  more  than  is  usual  through  the  year.  We  do  not  in- 
tend to  convey  the  idea,  by  the  above  heading,  that  tliere 
is  any  special  movement  among  us,  or  that  there  are  any 
very  marked  efforts  toward  getting  souls  converted,  or 
keeping  those  converted  who  are  already  in  the  Cluirch. 
The  great  movement  among  us,  is,  we  judge,  to  determine 
how  far  the  Church  can  go  back  to  the  world,  and  save  its 
semblance  to  piety,  devotion  and  truth.  Hence  many, 
many  Church-members,  have  become  the  most  frivolous 
and  pleasure-loving  and  folly-taking  part  of  our  town's- 
people.  They  love,  give  and  sustain  the  most  popular 
worldly  amusements,  such  as  dancing-parties,  card-parties, 
drinking  parties,  masquerade  and  surprise-parties,  and  have 
no  disposition  to  come  out  from  the  world,  and  to  be  sep- 
ai-ate  from  it.  All  tliis  may'  be  seen,  read  and  known,  in 
more  or  less  of  the  Buffalo  Churches.' 

"  Now  the  question  is,"  proceeds  Mr.  Hart,  "  are  these 
charges  true  or  false  ?  If  false,  is  the  Advocate  aware 
what  it  costs  to  slander  the  Church  in  these  days  ?  It  saw 
a  couple  of  men  belieaded  for  an  offence  which  dwindles 
into  superlative  insignificance,  when  compared  with  these 
wholesale  charges.    Let  us  look  at  them : 

"  1st.  No  effort  towards  getting  souls  converted. 

"  2nd.  No  effort  to  keep  souls  converted. 


134 


A  HISTORY  OF  TUK 


"3d.  'The  great  movement,'  'the  marked  eftbrt,'  is  to 
gain  a  position  where  they  can  just  balance  between  God 
and  the  devil. 

"  4th.  The  Church  members  are  frivolous,  folly-loving 
and  pleasure-taking,  even  more  so  than  those  who  are  op- 
enly in  '  the  way  to  hell.' 

"5th.  They  love,  give  and  sustain  dancing-parties,  card- 
parties,  and  drinking  parties,  &c.,  and  have  no  disposition 
to  do  otherwise. 

"  These  are  the  charges ;  now  for  the  testimony.  Br. 
Robie  called  :  "  Are  the  above  charges  true  respecting 
the  Churches  in  Buffalo  ? ' 

"  Ans,  '  All  this  may  be  seen,  read  and  known,  in  more 
or  less  of  the  Buffalo  Churches.' 

"  Dr.  Stevens  sends  out  these  awful  charges  to  his  thou- 
sand of  readers,  on  the  simple  assertion  of  the  Advocate, 
without  waiting  to  know  the  facts.  How  he  has  anatha- 
matized  the  Northern  Independent,  as  villifying  and  slan- 
dering the  Church ;  but  since  its  commencement  to  the 
present  day,  where  will  we  find  anything  to  equal  the 
above  from  Bro.  Robie  and  Stevens  ?  Now,  if  the  above 
charges  cannot  be  sustained,  should  not  Bro.  Robie  be 
prosecuted  for  slandering  the  Buffalo  Churches,  and  Dr. 
Stevens  for  '  publishing  and  circulating  'slanderous  reports? 
If  they  belonged  to  Genesee  Conference,  and  were  charged 
with  abusing  and  slandering  the  Church,  they  would,  ec- 
clesiastically, be  sent  higher  than  Haman.  In  Genesee 
Conference,  the  above  extract  from  the  Advocate,  would 
be  considered  as  slanderous,  whether  true  or  false.  So, 
Messrs.  Editors,  you  had  better  take  care.  What  was 
Bro's.  Roberts'  and  McCreery's  fault,  compared  with 
yours  ?  Where  or  when  have  these  bretliren  ever  said 
anything  half  as  severe  as  this  from  the  Advocate. 

"But  if  wliat  Br.  Robie  writes  be  true,  why  all  this  hue 
and  cry  against  the  so  called  Nazarites  ?    'i'iie  same  un- 


FREE  METHODIST  CUUBCH. 


135 


godly  influences,  and  the  same  proneness  to  comply  with 
them,  exists  in  othei'  places  as  well  as  in  Buffalo.  — 
And  would  it  be  strange  if  like  causes  produced  results 
like  those  now  being  experienced  by  the  Churches  in  Buf- 
falo ?  The  same  state  of  things  narrated  by  the  Advo- 
cate, has  and  does  exist  in  other  places.  The  temptations 
of  the  devil  have  been  listened  to,  and  the  prayer-meet- 
ing has  given  way  to  the  social  party ;  entire  consecra- 
tion has  died,  and  the  spirit  of  compromise  between  the 
Church  and  world  obtains  ;  formality  and  indifference  re- 
specting the  salvation  of  souls,  have  taken  the  place  of 
Bpirituality  and  the  love  which  'constrains  to  seek  the 
wandering  souls  of  men.' 

"  To  counteract  these  effects,  a  few  faithful  souls  stood 
up  for  Jesus,  and  like  the  Hebrew  children,  declared  that 
they  would  not  fall  down  and  worship  the  worldly  gods 
which  those  '  frivolous,  folly-loving  and  pleasure-taking 
members  '  and  ministers  were  setting  up.  This,  as  every- 
body knows,  that  knows  anything  about  it,  was  the  origin 
of  Nazaritism.  The  natural  antagonism  between  sin  and 
holiness  has  caused  all  the  trouble.  While  the  current 
flows  along,  as  Br.  Kobie  says  it  does  in  Buffalo,  and  no- 
body stands  up  for  Jesus  and  proclaims  the  whole  truth, 
they  will  have  peace  and  prosperity ;  but  it  will  be  the 
peace  of  death,  and  the  prosperity  of  those  '  whose  eyes 
stand  out  with  fatness.' 

"  If  Br.  Robie  would  stand  out  as  an  uncompromising 
exponent  of  the  whole  truth,  and  in  the  might  of  the  Spir- 
it, bear  a  decided  and  open  testimony  against  all  the 
worldly  connections  and  associations  that  are  cursing  the 
Churches  in  Buffalo,  he  would  see  such  a  commotion  and 
storm  of  opposition,  as  has  been  seen  and  felt  in  other 
places.  But  glory  to  God,  souls  would  be  awakened  and 
saved.  Then  would  commence  the  work  of  persecution; 
for,  as  '  he  that  was  born  after  the  flesh,  persecuted  Him 


136 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


that  was  born  after  the  Spirit,  even  so  it  is  noto.''''  If  Br. 
Robie  would  take  this  position  with  an  eye  single  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  seek  to  root  out  dead  formality,  by  a 
living,  earnest  Christianity,  and  make  "  special  effoi-ts  "  for 
the  conversion  of  sinners,  he  would  be  to  all  intents  and 
purposes  a  Nazarite.  Will  Br.  Robie  take  this  stand,  and 
see  and  feel  the  salvation  of  God,  or  will  he  let  the  Buffalo 
Churches  drift  down  to  everlasting  wo,  unwarned,  he  ■bl- 
lowing  in  their  wake  ?  Wsi.  Hart. 

Mr.  Hosmer  says : — "  A  copy  ot  the  Minutes  of  the  last 
session  of  this  [Genesee]  Conference,  lies  upon  our  table. 
Its  mechanical  execution  is  excellent,  and  reflects  credit 
upon  all  concerned.  With  the  matter  in  general,  we  are 
equally  pleased.  Each  page,  if  we  except  the  account  of 
the  '  Conference  Camp-meeting,'  bears  marks  of  diligence 
and  candor.  But  what  strikes  us  most,  is  the  report  on 
the  '  State  of  tlie  Work.'  It  is  able,  pungent,  truthful, 
humiliating.  Yet  it  would  have  been  more  so,  had  all  the 
facts  of  the  case  come  out.  Their  language  of  confession 
wants  translating,  and  then  it  would  read  much  like  the 
following  : 

"  '  They  said  one  to  another,  we  are  verily  guilty  concern 
ing  our  brother,  in  that  we  saw  the  anguish  of  his  soul, 
when  he  besought  us,  and  we  would  not  hear  :  therefore 
is  this  distress  come  upon  us.'  And  Reuben  answered 
them  saying.  Spake  I  not  unto  you,  saying,  '  Do  not  sin 
against  the  child,  and  ye  would  not  hear?  Wherefore  be- 
liold  also  his  blood  is  required.' — Gen.  xlii,  21,  22. 

"  But  let  us  have  their  own  statement  of  the  sad  condi- 
tion of  affairs  in  a  Conference  from  which  all  traces  of 
Nazaritism  and  '  Contumacy  '  have  been  carefully  excluded. 
As  this  purgation  has  been  eminently  expensive  to  com- 
mon sense,  moral  principle,  and  Methodist  Discipline,  one 
would  suppose  that  it  might  have  been  prolilic  of  mere 


FI;?:E  METHODIST  CHUHCH. 


137 


numbers  and  of  a  certain  kind  of  self  respect.  Yet  even 
in  these  poor  results  it  fails,  and  hence  they  say  : 

"  1.  '  Our  revivals  have  not  been,  either  in  number  or 
extent,  what  we  desired,  or  had  reason  to  expect.  Are  we 
God's  ministers,  commissioned  and  sent  forth  by  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church,  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  and  must  we, 
in  so  many  instances,  pass  on,  year  after  year,  with  no 
more  marked  results  ?  Are  we  doing  our  whole  duty,  as 
preachers  of  the  everlasting  Gospel,  while  the  years  go 
by,  and  that  Gospel  seems  essentially  powerless  in  our 
ministrations?  While  we  are  the  appointed  guardians  of 
the  churches,  must  we,  of  necessity,  see  them  moving  ou 
to  inevitable  extinction?  This  is  not  GoJ's  will.  The 
fault  lies,  in  part,  at  least,  at  our  own  doors.  There  is,  on 
the  part  of  many  of  us,  cause  for  profound  humiliation 
before  God,  and  for  the  most  serious  inquiry  whether  we 
are  not  essentially  failing  of  the  great  ends  of  our  minis- 
try. 

"  2.  'Another  unfavorable  feature  in  our  condition  is  the 
fact,  that  in  many,  perhaps  in  most  of  our  churches,  the 
membership  is  made  up,  almost  wholly,  of  persons  far  ad- 
vanced in  life.  We  see  among  them  very  few  of  the 
young.  In  a  large  portion  of  our  churches,  we  rarely  find 
a  young  man  in  the  Official  Board.  This  indicates  a  la- 
mentable want  of  extensive  revivals  among  us,  for  the 
PAST  TEN  YEARS.  Thcsc  aged  persons  in  our  churches  are 
true  and  faithful,  and  worthy  of  all  honor.  But  they  will 
soon  pass  to  the  church  triumphant.  There  are,  perhaps, 
scores  of  churches  in  our  Conference,  the  very  existence 
of  which  seems  to  depend  on  the  lives  of  one,  two  or  three 
men  now  far  advanced  in  years.  These  men  are  rapidly 
passing  away.  It  is  obvious  that,  in  many  places,  nothing 
can  save  our  cause  but  powerful  and  far-reaching  revivals 
of  religion. 

"  '  Another  very  great  evil  among  us,  and  one  fraught 


138 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


with  most  damaging  results  to  God's  cause  and  all  our 
interests  as  a  Conference,  is  the  engaging  in  secular  pur- 
suits by  so  many  of  our  ministers.  This  evil,  during  the 
past  two  years,  has  been  largely  on  the  increase.  It  is 
needless  to  spend  time  to  show  the  error  of  a  practice  so 
obviously  contrary  to  both  the  spirit  and  letter  of  our 
commission,  and  of  our  ministerial  vows.  We  claim  to  have 
obeyed  the  voice  of  the  Master,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,"  at  the  altars  of 
the  clmrch.  In  the  presence  of  God  and  man  we  have 
solemnly  pledged  to  be  men  of  one  work,  and  how  can 
we,  conscientiously,  engage  in  occupations  that  must  di- 
vide our  interest,  energies,  time  and  affections.  This  prac- 
tice is  alarmingly  shaking  the  confidence  of  the  people  in 
us,  as  ministers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  They  say  we 
are  as  greedy  of  gain,  as  covetous  of  large  possessions,  as 
easily  swept  into  wild  speculations  as  any  other  class  of 
men.  Tills  loss  of  confidence  in  the  ministry  is  not  con- 
fined to  those  alone  wlio  engage  in  secular  pursuits,  but 
extends  measurably  to  the  wliole  body.  Thus  the  inno- 
cent suffer  with  the  guilty,  and  our  hold  upon  the  people 
is  lost.' 

"  The  chronology  of  the  above  is  worthy  of  note,  and 
we  have  marked  it  by  putting  the  words  in  capitals.  It 
is  now  almost  ten  years  since  that  Conference  arrested  the 
cliaracter  of  one  of  its  ablest  and  most  useful  ministers, 
and  finally  expelled  him  for  slander — which  slander  con- 
sisted in  writing  an  article  for  this  paper,  on  'New-School 
Methodism.'  The  article  retiected  pretty  severely  on  some 
usages  current  in  that  and  other  Conferences,  but  was  not 
one  whit  niore  scathing  than  this  report  on  the  '  State  of 
the  Ciuirch.'  Its  allegations  indeed  were  not  as  broad, 
nor  were  its  developments  as  alarming.  A  keen  observer, 
however,  at  that  time  saw  the  evil  in  its  iucipiency — saw 
a  ministry  shorn  of  its  strength,  secularized,  unsuccessful, 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


139 


and  the  church  dying  out — saw  exactly  what  this  official 
document  declares  began  to  exist  ten  years  ago.  The 
brave  man  whose  eyes,  anointed  of  God,  saw  this  deplor- 
able condition  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  should  have 
been  rewarded  by  something  better  than  expulsion,  for  he 
meant  well,  spoke  well,  and  is  now  fully  endorsed  by  the 
Conference  itself.  We  saw  the  injustice  done,  saw  it  at 
the  time  it  was  done,  and  gave  notice  of  the  fact ;  but  our 
words  were  then,  they  probably  will  be  now,  unheeded, 
and  the  Conference  went  on  its  way  trying  men  for  '  Con- 
tumacy,' and  expelling  such  large  numbers  of  their  very 
best  ministers  and  laymen,  that  absolute  ecclesiastical  an- 
nihilation stares  them  in  the  face.  This  result  will  sur- 
prise none.  It  is  but  the  inevitable  consequence  of  a 
wrong  course.  Had  the  leaders  of  that  once  prosperous 
section  of  the  Church  listened  to  good  counsel  they  would 
not  be  uttering  their  De  profimdis,  but  their  N'unc  dbnit- 
iis,  and  each  valiant  soldier  of  the  cross,  looking  back 
over  a  well  contested  field  could  say,  '  I  have  fought  a 
good  fight.' 

"Ten  years  of  spiritual  barrenness,  the  secularization  of 
the  ministry  to  such  an  extent  that  the  people  have  lost 
confidence  in  them,  and  many  other  evidences  of  decline 
should  satisfy  the  Conference  that  it  has  done  wrong — 
that  its  administration  has  cast  down  those  whom  God 
has  not  cast  down.  By  way  of  helping  them  out  of  their 
trouble,  we  suggest  that  the  Conference  at  once  reconsider 
its  action  in  the  case  of  all  who  have  been  expelled  on 
mere  technical  grounds,  and  thus  restore  those  on  whose 
account  God  lias  sent  leanness  into  all  their  borders." — 
Northern  Independent. 

The  following  account  of  outrages  perpetrated  by  the 
instigation  of  one  of  the  Genesee  Conference  Preachers 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  was  published  in  the  Niagara  (Jity 


140 


A  HISTORY   OF  THE 


Herald^  of  Oct.  8th,  1859.  The  writer  is  a  gentleman  of 
the  highest  respectability,  and  was  an  eye-witness  of  most 
of  the  proceedings  : 

"RELIGIOUS  PERSECUTION. 

"  Outrages  at  Cayuga  Creek — Methodists  Hand-  Cuffed 
and  sent  to  Jail  on  the  Sabbath. 

"The  daj^s  of  persecution  have  returned.  The  spirit  of 
the  old  inquisition  is  among  us.  Our  informants,  who  are 
some  of  the  most  respectable  citizens  at  Cayuga  Creek, 
and  wealthy  gentleman,  witnessed  the  strange  spec- 
tacle of  peaceable,  devoted  Christians,  while  quietly  list- 
ening to  the  preaching  of  an  aged  and  honored  local  preach- 
er of  the  E.  Church,  being  arrested,  hand-cuff^ed  as  fel- 
ons, and  hurried  away  to  jail,  on  charges  manufactured 
for  the  purpose.  We  could  hardly  persuade  ourselves  we 
were  residents  of  a  free  and  enlightened  country,  in  the 
19th  century.  It  would  seem  as  if  the  wheel  of  time  had 
rolled  us  back  to  the  dark  ages. 

"The  history  of  this  outrage  is  briefly  as  follows  :  The 
Cayuga  Creek  Church  forms  a  part  of  the  Niagara  Falls 
charge — the  same  preacher  officiates  at  the  Falls  in  the 
morning,  and  at  the  Creek  in  the  afternoon  of  each  Sab- 
bath. Soon  after  Conference,  the  pastor  went  covertly 
to  work  to  carry  out  the  Anti  Methodist  doctrine  of  the 
'  Pastoral  Address,'  adopted  by  the  stronger  or  '  regency  ' 
party  of  the  Genesee  Conference.  The  faithful  and  effi- 
cient Sabbath  School  Superintendent,  and  the  Class  Lead- 
ers were  changed,  and  persons  whom  the  pastor  could  use, 
were  appointed. 

"  As  soon  as  the  term  of  office  of  one  of  the  Trustees, 
a  citizen  of  the  highest  respectability,  and  who  had  con- 
tributed liberally  for  the  erection  and  support  of  the 
Church,  expired,  the  preaclier,  in  a  quiet  way,  went  to 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


141 


■work  to  get  <a  person  suitable  for  his  purpose,  elected  in 
his  place.  lie  found  one,  who  had  never  contributed  eitlier 
money  or  influence  for  building  up  the  Church,  and  had 
him  elected.  No  one  suspected  his  ulterior  designs,  for  he 
had  been  very  smooth  thus  far,  and  no  opposition  was 
made.  The  Trustee  thus  supplanted  was  a  warm  person- 
al friend  of  the  preacher,  but  the  preacher  rightly  sup- 
posed  him  to  be  too  much  of  a  man  to  be  used  as  a  '  tool ' 
for  any  party. 

"  The  key  of  the  church,  up  to  February  15th,  had 
been  in  possession  of  A.  M.  Chesbrough,  a  Trustee,  also, 
hitherto  a  warm  personal  friend  of  the  preacher.  Mr.  C. 
always  had  the  house  open  for  meetings,  furnished  lights, 
and  had  paid  more  for  building  and  supporting  the  church 
than  any  other  man.  Mr.  Simpkins,  the  preacher,  ob- 
tained the  key  and  gave  it  to  another  Trustee,  who  is  not 
a  member  of  any  Church,  and  who  had  been  the  chief 
agent  of  '  the  regency '  in  these  operations  at  Cayuga 
Creek.  On  the  evening  of  the  16th  of  February,  the  Rev, 
John  Cannon,  who  had  been  for  over  thirty  years  a  local 
preacher,  and  for  some  twenty-three  years  a  member  of 
tlie  M.  E.  Church  at  Niagara  Falls,  had  an  appointment 
to  preach  at  Cayuga  Creek.  When  the  time  arrived  for 
opening  the  meeting,  the  house  was  well  filled,  and  to  tlie 
astonishment  of  all  3Ir.  Simpkins,  loho  knew  of  the  ap- 
pointment,  stepped  in  and  took  the  control  of  the  meeting, 
without  saying  one  word  to  Mr.  Cannon.  This  created 
quite  an  excitement,  for  Mr.  C.  had  preached  there  often, 
and  is  highly  beloved. 

"  On  the  evening  of  the  23d  of  March,  when  the  people 
met  for  prayer-meeting,  the  church  was  locked.  Mr. 
Chesbrough  going  there  between  7  and  8  o'clock,  found 
them  out  of  doors,  and  about  to  return  to  their  homes,  as 
the  evening  was  cold.  The  key  was  away  nearly  one  mile. 
For  the  first  time  since  the  church  was  built,  the  windows 


142 


A   HISTORY  OF  THE 


wore  fastened  down.  Mr.  Chesbrough  pried  open  a  win- 
dow, the  door  was  unbolted,  and  a  meeting  held.  The 
Sabbath  morning  prayer  meeting  which  had  for  some 
months  been  held  at  an  unoccupied  house  in  another  neigh- 
borhood liad  been  removed  to  the  Church. 

Mr.  Simpkins  called  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  two  of 
which  were  under  his  influence.  The  question  of  opening 
the  liouse  for  Sunday  morning  prayer  meeting  came  up. 
(^ne  of  the  Trustees,  and  not  a  professor  of  religion,  ob- 
jected, that  the  "  meetings  were  too  noisy."  The  newly 
elected  Trustee,  said  "  the  people  could  pray  at  home  in 
their  closets,  or  in  their  fields,  that  they  did  not  need  to 
come  to  Church  to  pray."  The  preacher  said  "  as  they  had 
Sabbatli  School  at  1  P.  M.,  and  preaching  at  2  o'clock,  and 
prayer  meeting  in  the  evening,  that  they  did  not  need  any 
other  meeting  on  the  Sabbath." 

Mr.  Chesbrough  urged  that  the  house  should  be  opened 
for  prayer  meeting.  From  this  time  till  the  17th  of  April, 
the  meetings  were  held  as  usual, — on  that  day,  Sabbath 
morning,  the  people  met  together  at  the  Church  for  their 
customary  prayer  meeting.  One  of  the  regency  Tri'stces 
was  2wsted  outside  the  door  with  three  or  four  hired  men 
anddoc/s,  to  prevent  the  people  from  going  into  the  Church. 
]VIr.  Chesbrough  asked  him  by  what  authority  be  closed 
the  door?  He  said  "by  the  authority  of  the  preacher  in 
charge,  and  a  majority  of  the  (two)  Trustees."  He  also 
said,  "  he  was  sent  to  protect  the  door,  and  was  going  to 
do  it  at  all  hazards.''''  The  people  becoming  disgusted,  re- 
turned home.  For  four  weeks  no  prayer  meeting  was  held 
on  Sabbath  morning.  Mr.  Chesbrough  visited  the  preach- 
er twice  to  get  his  consent  to  have  the  house  opened,  which 
was  refused  each  time,  and  the  preacher  said,  that  the 
Trustee  who  guarded  the  door  "knew  his  wishes." 

In  the  meanwhile  the  members  became  uneasy  at  having 
no  meetings  during  the  long  Sabbath  mornings,  no  rclig- 


FRKE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


143 


iou8  services  were  held  in  the  place  save  in  the  Methodist 
Church.  And  it  was  too  far  to  go  any  where  else.  An 
appointment  was  given  out  for  leather  Cannon  to  preach 
on  Sabbath  morning,  June  19th.  Mr.  Chesbrough  having 
obtained  a  key  opened  the  door.  While  he  and  two  others 
Avere  sitting  in  the  Church  waiting  for  ,the  congregation, 
the  new  Trustee  came  up  with  another  man  and  locked 
them  in,  and  said  "  Mr.  Cannon  should  not  speak  there, 
Mr,  Simpkins  told  him  to  protect  the  door  at  all  hazards." 
His  comrade  said  "if  there  is  any  fighting  to  be  done  he 
wanted  a  hand  in  it."  Mr.  Cannon  quietly  held  his  meet- 
ing under  a  tree,  and  appointed  another  in  two  weeks. 
When  the  time  came  the  regency  Trustee  was  at  the  door 
with  six  or  seven  hired  men,  and  said,  "  if  they  went  into 
the  Church  that  day,  before  the  regular  time,  they  would 
walk  over  his  dead  body."  Again  the  meeting  was  held 
under  the  trees,  and  another  appointment  left  for  two 
weeks. 

When  that  Sabbath  morning  came  the  regency  Trustee, 
Samuel  Tompkins,  was  posted  at  the  door  with  eleven 
men — not  one  of  them,  save  his  brother,  ever  paid  one  cent 
towards  the  erection  of  the  Church,  and  most  of  them  hired 
men  and  boys,  and  five  dogs.  Seats  placed  beside  the 
Church  were  torn  down,  and  a  line  was  marked  out,  over 
which  the  people  were  told  they  must  not  pass  at  their  peril. 

On  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  July,  there  was  an  ap- 
pointment for  a  prayer  meeting.  Mr.  Chesbrougli  had  in  the 
meantime  put  a  new  lock  upon  the  door,  and  by  his  au- 
thority the  Church  was  opened.  Before  the  people  had 
assembled,  a  hired  man  of  the  regency  Trustee,  stepped 
into  the  Church  and  fastened  the  door  by  putting  a  brace 
against  it.  The  members  assembled,  but  being  told  by 
the  guard  that  they  could  not  enter  the  Church,  they 
quietly  dispersed.  When  they  had  gone  some  fifty  rods 
or  more,  some  boys  threw  in  a  handful  of  fire-crackers 


144 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


through  a  broken  pane  of  glass  at  the  man  who  was  hold- 
ing the  door.  On  Saturday  night  as  the  regency  guard 
were  watching  the  Church,  that  they  might  have  possession 
Sunday  morning,  they  said  two  persons  came  up  to  the 
window  and  whispered,  "  there  they  lie  near  the  door," 
and  then  broke  some  eight  or  ten  panes  of  glass. 

The  probability  is  that  it  was  done  by  some  of  the  re- 
gency party,  in  order  to  make  out  as  bad  a  story  as  would 
best  suit  their  side,  for  in  fact,  they  did  not  even,  go  to  the 
door  to  see  who  was  there  breaking  the  xcindows. 

The  regency  Trustee  obtained  warrants  of  a  Justice,  a 
special  friend,  and  business  partner  of  his.  They  were 
kept  through  the  week,  and  on  Sabbath  morning,  Aug.  7th, 
as  Rev.  John  Cannon  was  preaching  in  a  grove,  some  four 
or  five  constables,  armed  with  revolvers,  clubs,  and  shack- 
les, led  on  by  the  regency  Trustee,  came  to  the  congrega- 
tion, and  arrested  one  of  the  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  a  respectable  citizen.  They  then  went  to  the  house 
of  another  member,  tore  him  from  the  bedside  of  a  sick 
wife,  took  him  near  the  meeting,  and  hand-cuffed  him  with 
the  other.  They  were  left  in  irons  near  the  meeting  until 
a  part  of  the  constables  could  go  to  the  village  and  arrest 
Bome  five  or  six  more.  They  were  put  in  shackles  and 
then  driven  in  the  hot  sun,  through  the  dust  about  a  mile. 
They  were  crowded  into  an  old  lumber  wagon  used  for 
hauling  brick,  and  hurried  to  jail.  While  they  were  kept 
near  the  meeting,  some  of  the  most  responsible  men  in  Ni- 
agara County  offered  to  give  any  amount  of  security  re- 
quired ;  but  nothing  would  answer — to  jail  they  must  go. 

The  preacher  met  them  on  the  way  to  his  appointment. 
Whether  the  sight  of  some  of  his  members  in  irons  gave 
him  inspiration  to  preach  we  are  unable  to  say.  The  form 
of  an  examination  was  gone  through  with,  and  though  no 
evidence  of  guilt  was  adduced,  yet  the  justice,  to  screen 
his  friend,  as  is  supposed,  bound  them  over  for  trial. 


FRBE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


145 


Thus  have  our  free  institutions  been  disgraced  by  an  act 
of  religious  persecution,  that  would  be  better  befitting 
Italy  or  Rome.  The  Christians  arrested  are  as  quiet  and 
inoffensive  men  as  can  be  found.  Their  real  offence  con- 
sists in  their  unwillingness  to  put  their  conscience  in  the 
keeping  of  their  pastor,  and  in  their  earnest  endeavors  to 
gain  Heaven.  In  short,  they  are  old  fashioned  Methodists, 
designated  by  their  opposers  in  the  Genesee  Conference 
by  the  persecuted  name  of  Nazarites." 

If  the  foregoing  does  not  remind  the  reader  of  the  days 
of  tlie  Inquisition,  it  must  be  because  he  is  not  very  con 
versant  with  the  history  of  the  Church  of  Rome.  Even 
the  civil  arm,  so  often  invoked  by  "  His  Holiness"  for  the 
extirpation  of  "  heretics,"  was  here  called  into  requisition ; 
and  nothing  saved  these  obnoxious  disciples  of  Jesus  from 
the  martyr's  stake,  but  the  fear  of  trenching  farther  upon 
an  outraged  public  opinion. 

Another  specimen  of  mobocratic,  sham  trials  we  pro- 
pose to  give,  is  from  The  Olean  Advertiser  of  April  26th, 
1860,  and  is  as  follows  : 

"  METHODIST  CHURCH  DIFFICULTIES. 
Solemn  Mockery  of  a  Trial — Ecclesiastical  GuiUotine  on 
the  neck  of  Seymour  J.  Noble  / 

Mr.  Editor: — After  your  very  appropriate  remarks 
and  suggestions  upon  this  trial,  it  might  perhaps,  by  some, 
be  thought  advisable  to  allow  this  matter  to  rest  without 
farther  comment.  But  there  are  some  features  of  the  case 
that  demand  the  attention  of  the  public,  and  which  con- 
cern every  man  who  has  a  reputation  that  he  would  pre- 
serve, and  place  beyond  the  reach  of  injui  y,  from  such 
assaults  and  with  such  means  as  were  employed  in  this  case. 

By  a  curious  coincidence,  or  perhaps  by  design,  the 
day  designated  from  time  immemorial  as  'hangman's  day,' 
was  the  period  specially  set  apart  for  this  appearance  of  a 


146 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


trial,  ami  for  tlie  doing  of  a  deed,  wliich,  freed  from  the  asso- 
ciations of  this,  would  have  been  singularly  inappropriate. 
On  Friday,  April  6th,  at  nine  A.  M.,  the  component  parts 
of  an  inquisitorial  court  were  assembled  in  due  order,  in 
the  basement  of  the  Church  edifice.*  The  judge  appeared, 
solemnly  grave.  The  minister  in  charge  seemed  compla- 
cently satisfied  as  he  viewed  the  arrangements,  and  the 
jury  expressed  '  certain  convictio7i'  in  their  contenances, 
as  tliey  eyed  the  accused,  standing  before  them,  conscious 
of  his  own  rectitude,  and  surrounded  by  his  many  friends 
and  sympathizers. 

A  hymn  was  read  in  slow  and  measured  terms.  It  was 
a  hymn  which  had  been  so  often  sung  by  earnest  Methodists. 

*  A  charge  to  keep,  1  have, 
A  God  to  glorify.' 

A  few  feeble  voices  carried  it  to  its  close.  It  seemed 
strangely  inappropriate  tons,  and  most  of  those  collected 
there— save  the  Court — indulged  in  the  !*ame  feeling.  Alas  I 
tlioy  were  too  sad  for  song,  and  only  waited  the  inevita- 
ble consummation  of  the  wrong  they  were  unable  to  avert. 

Then,  all  kneeled  in  prayer,  while  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ham- 
mond, of  Portville,  who  was  to  preside  as  Judge,  suppli- 
cated the  Throne  of  Grace,  for  wisdom  from  on  high,  to 
direct  aright  the  duties  imposed  upon  him ;  and  as  the 
words — '  let  no  act  stand  in  the  way  of  salvation  of  souls,' 
broke  in  upon  the  silence,  one  long,  loud,  earnest  amen 
was  the  response,  bursting  involuntary  as  it  were,  from  the 
lips  of  their  kneeling  victim  of  their  displeasure. 

Tlie  religious  exercises  being  closed,  the  inquisitorial 
character  of  the  Court  began  to  develop  itself  by  the  Pre- 
siding Elder  rising  in  his  place,  and  going  through  the 
transparent  farce  of  formally  deposing  W.  C.  Willing, 
from  his  official  position  as  Pastor  of  the  First  Methodist 


*The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Oleun,  N.  V. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


147 


E.  Church  of  Olean.  No  reason  was  given  for  this  sum- 
mary proceeding,  but  it  was  easy  to  conjecture  why  it  was 
done.  He  had  made  out  the  charge,  selected  the  judge, 
empannelled  the  jury,  and  summoned  the  witnesses,  but 
there  was  as  yet  no  prosecutor!  The  arrangement  would 
not  be  complete,  unless  he  performed  the  part  of  that 
functionary !  The  whole  Court  was  the  creature  of  his 
making,  carefully  selected  and  brought  together  for  the 
arrangement,  trial,  and  certain  expulsion  of  one  of  the 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  had  done  all  he  could 
in  his  official  position  without  infring'ement  upon  the  '  Dis- 
cipline,' and  hence  this  'deposition'  to  enable  him  to  do, 
what  no  lay  member  of  the  whole  society  was  willing  to 
perform — prosecute  Seymour  J.  Nobles,  on  the  charge  of 

'-IMMORAL  AND  UNCHRISTIAN  CONDUCT  !  !  !' 

Mr.  Noble,  plead  a  general  denial,  and  requested  the 
court  to  allow  him  the  assistance  of  Wm.  Culver  and 
Doctor  Bigelow  as  counsel. 

The  Court  decided  the  latter  gentleman  would  not  be 
permitted  to  take  part  in  the  trial,  as  he  was  not  a  member 
of  the  society. 

Dr.  Bigelow  arose  from  his  seat  in  a  retired  part  of 
of  the  room,  and  said 'it  was  unnecessary  to  make  any 
ruling  so  far  as  he  was  concerned,  for  before  such  a  court 
he  should  be  like  a  '  sheep  dumb  before  its  shearers.' 

Mr.  Noble  objected  to  "W.  C.  Willing  acting  as  prosecu- 
tor, on  the  ground  of  his  not  belonging  to  the  society. 

The  Court,  with  a  distinction  so  delicate  as  to  make  the 
difference  not  discernable  to  ordinary  minds,  ruled  precise- 
ly the  reverse  of  its  last  decision,  and  W.  C.  Willing  was 
allowed  to  act. 

^fr.  Noble  objected  to  Hiram  Webster  sitting  as  one  of 
the  jurors,  for  having  said  '  he  would  not  believe  a  Naza- 
rite  any  quicker  than  he  would  the  devil.'  He  called  one 
witness  who  testified  to  Webster's  assertion,  and  offered  to 


148 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


bring  more,  telling  the  court,  that  in  his  defence  he  would 
have  to  rely  upon  the  testimony  of  those  stigmatized  as 
Nazarites,  and  if  men  were  to  sit  upon  the  jury,  who 
would  not  believe  them  quicker  than  they  would  the '  father 
of  all  lies,'  it  looked  to  him  as  if  the  case  was  already  pre 
judged. 

The  Court,  with  a  coolness  challenging  precedent,  very 
blandly  decided  Mr.  "Webster  competent. 

Upon  the  declaration  of  this  decision,  the  accused,  act- 
ing under  the  impression  very  naturally  made  upon  him, 
held  the  court  for  half  an  hour,  with  an  earnest,  heart-felt 
speech  ;  telling  them  that  he  could  hope  for  no  justice  at 
their  hands — that  this  trial  was  decided  upon  long  before 
the  alleged  consummation  of  the  act  for  wliich  he  stood 
arraigned — tliat  it  was  a  foregone  conclusion,  he  must  be 
expelled  from  the  church,  and  these  forms  and  ceremonies 
were  only  designed  as  an  outside  show  of  justice.  The 
flushed  countenances,  bowed  heads,  and  averted  faces  of 
all  connected  with  the  court,  told  how  pungently  these 
scathing  truths  were  realized. 

Wlien  the  accused  had  stepped  from  the  tlireshold,  his 
friends  followed  him,  leaving  the  inquisition  comparatively 
alone,  it  began  its  work,  and  with  indecent  haste,  hurried- 
ly consummated  it.  A  few  witnesses  were  hurriedly  ex- 
amined— the  prosecutor  hurriedly  summed  up  the  case — and 
the  jui-y  rendered  a  hurried  verdict. 

The  verdict  was  precisely  what  it  was  intended  it  should 
be,  and  what  every  one  conversant  with  the  jjroceedings 
had  very  clearly  foreseen,  and  Seymour  J.  Noble, — a 
man  whose  heart  and  purse,  for  the  last  eighteen  years, 
liave  been  open  to  the  requirements  and  necessities  of  the 
church — whose  hard-earned  substance  during  all  that  time 
has  constantly  flowed  into  her  treasury,  and  whose  pray- 
ers have  been  regularly  oflered  up  at  lier  sacred  altars;  is 
pronounced  by  a  foreign  emmisary,  tliirsting  for  tlie blood  of 


FKEE   METHODIST  CHURCH. 


149 


martyi-s,  as  no  longer  deserving  of  association.  Though 
his  heart  yearns  for  the  church  as  tlie  the  tender  child  for 
its  mother,  he  is  not  allowed  to  bend  the  knee  there,  but 
is  sent  forth  into  the  world  with  a  stigma  upon  his  name, 
and  a  reproach  upon  his  Christian  character. 

In  view  of  all  this,  may  we  not  reasonably  ask,  of  what 
value  is  human  reputation,  in  a  community,  where  such 
high-iuinded  eflbrts  to  blast  and  destroy  it  can  be  success- 
fully indulged  ?  If  such  attacks  upon  private  character 
can  possibly  injure  the  object  aimed  at,  it  shows  the  ne- 
cessity of  some  legal  enactment  to  protect  honest  men, 
from  the  operations  of  such  machinery,  and  from  the  in- 
fluence of  a  sj)irit,  that  in  otluT  countries  and  in  other  ages  of 
the  world,  have  sent  men  to  the  rack  and  to  the  scaffold, 
for  alleged  or  suspected  heresies. 

But  in  this  particular  instance,  and  in  this  immediate 
community,  the  malice  that  originated  these  proceedings, 
and  set  them  in  motion,  is  comparatively  impotent  and 
harmless.  Mr.  Noble  has  lived  here  too  long,  is  too  well 
known,  and  his  position  as  a  sincere,  earnest  Christian,  too 
well  established  to  suffer  any  permanent  injury  from  such 
persecutors.  It  may  have  some  effect  abroad,  where  the 
parties  are  unknown  ;  but  here,  it  is  looked  upon  as  a  farce, 
and  only  injures  tliose  who  have  been  engaged  in  tlie' trans- 
action. Tlie  charges  do  not  in  any  way  refer  to  any  act 
of  his,  as  a  citizen,  a  man,  or  a  Christian.  In  order  to 
have  a  semblance  of  a  charge  against  him,  his  accusers 
were  compelled  to  fasten  upon  what  has  ever  been  regarded 
in  all  civilized  communities,  as  a  privileged  proceeding.  He 
was  engaged  as  counsel  for  James  II.  UitooKs,  wiien  ar- 
raigned before  a  similar  tribunal,  and  defended  him  with 
a  zeal  and  ability  that  before  any  otlier  bod y  of  men,M'ould 
not  have  been  without  a  saving  inffuem  e.  h\  tlie  excitement 
of  debate,  and  the  earnestness  of  his  argument,  he  un- 
doubtedly used  strong  expressions,  and  characterized  the 


150 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


proceedings  as  they  desei-verl.  It  is  for  language  used 
under  such  circumstances,  tljat  he  has  now  been  accused, 
arraigned  and  expelled  from  his  church. 

The  ruling  powers  in  the  Methodist  denomination,  have 
by  this  act  proclaimed,  that  no  man  can  remain  in  their 
midst,  who  has  the  courage  to  assert  his  maniiood  and  inde. 
pendence;  and  that  no  brother  in  the  church,  shall  defend 
another  accused  of  heresies,  without  subjecting  himself  to 
the  risk  of  being  also  expelled,  if  he  employs  language 
that  is  offensive  to  the  inquisition  before  which  he  appears. 
In  all  other  tribunals,  where  men  are  charged  with  oftences, 
the  counsel  who  appears  on  behalf  of  the  accused,  is  per- 
mitted to  express  his  honest  convictions  of  the  case,  in 
such  terms  as  his  judgment  shall  dictate;  and  he  is  no 
where,  and  under  no  circumstances,  liable  to  be  called  to 
account,  or  even  censured  for  a  choice  of  adjectives  that 
the  case  or  the  evidence  may  suggest.  When  a  man  joins 
the  M.  E.  Church,  is  it  to  be  understood  that  he  surren- 
ders all  his  rights  and  privileges  in  this  respect,  and  if 
accused  of  offences,  is  the  method  of  his  trial,  the  char- 
acter of  the  evidence  he  offers,  and  the  language  he  em- 
ploys in  his  vindication — all  to  be  dictated  and  prescribed  by 
those  who  may  be  constituted  his  judges?  If  this  be  so, 
it  is  well  to  let  the  community  know  it,  that  they  may 
govern  themselves  accordingly. 

Plere,  it  is  very  generally  conceded,  that  in  the  case  of 
Messrs.  Brooks  and  Noble,  though  guiltless  of  any  of- 
fence against  good  order  or  good  morals,  in  their  expul- 
sion from  such  a  Church  as  has  driven  them  forth,  there 
is  great  consistency  and  propriety.  They  have  no  sympa- 
thy with  the  feeling  and  spirit  that  seems  dominant  in  that 
body,  and  could  not  remain  under  the  control  of  such  rul- 
ers, without  feeling  that  they  were  out  of  place,  and  there 
was  something  incongruous  and  wrong  in  attempting  to 
subject  their  religious  interests  and  their  future  and  eter- 


FHEE   METHODIST  CIirRCH. 


151 


nal  welfare,  to  tliG  control  of  such  influences.  It  is  only 
in  theiioi)e,  we  apprehend,  of  freeing  the  church  from  such 
influences,  that  they  would  liave  au y  desire  to  remain  there. 
In  this  hope  they  have  the  sympatliy  of  all  good  men,  and 
to-day,  although  deprived  of  their  church  connection, 
and  cut  off  from  her  communion,  they  could  not  ex- 
change places  in  the  public  estimation,  with  those  who  have 
heaped  these  wrongs  upon  them,  without  suflering  loss  far 
gi-eater  than  that  which  they  already  have  sustained." 

Instances  of  administration,  or  persecution  rather,  like 
the  foregoing,  are  now  become  the  order  of  the  day;  and 
are  shamefully  gloried  in,  as  the  Church  of  liome  for- 
merly gloried,  and  would  still  glory  if  the  civil  authority 
were  out  of  the  way,  in  the  burning  of  heretics.  It  is  a 
maxim,  often  demonstrated,  that  "  where  there  is  a  will, 
there  is  a  way,"  and  the  machinery  for  the  execution  of 
these  deeds  of  darkness  is  being  fiibricated  and  brought 
into  use  with  a  facility  that  is  quite  equal  to  the  growing 
demand  of  the  church  for  such  infernal  appliances.  But 
though  her  inventions,  contrivances,  and  so-called  im- 
provements in  this  direction,  are  confessedly  smart,  and  fully 
up  to  the  character  and  spirit  of  the  age  in  which  we  live; 
yet  we  see  in  them,  after  all,  nothing  else  than  a  rapid  ap- 
proximation to  the  fire  and  blood  of  tlie  sixteenth  eentury, 
and  tremble  for  the  result !  The  Metliodi.sm  of  tlie  Vi.  E. 
Church  at  this  day,  is  no  more  the  Methodism  of  Asbury  and 
Garrettson  of  seventy  or  eiglity  years  ago  ;  than  the  democ- 
racy of  the  pro-slavery  copperheads  of  our  time,  is  the 
democracy  of  Thomas  Jefferson  and  the  revolutionary 
fathers. 

To  say  nothing  of  the  laws  of  the  constitution,  or  of  the 
statute  book,  which  are  made  little  account  of  in  our  days; 
even  the  common  law,  by  which  we  ujiderstand  common 
pense  and  common  justice,  has  become  obsolete  among  us ; 
and  special  legislation,  ignoring  the  only  proper  basis  of 


152 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


law — equal  justice  and  the  common  welfare — and  looking 
solely  to  personal,  or  at  least  to  party  ends  and  interests, 
now  rules  the  day.  The  Bible  has  now  very  little  practi- 
cal authority  among  us ;  nor  do  we  at  all  insist  upon  the 
observance  of  the  old  Discipline  which  used  to  govern  us 
in  former  times.  But  churchism,  binding  us  to  a  denomi- 
national or  party  platform,  and  enforced  by  "  Conference 
resolutions,"  Episcopal  decisions,  the  precedents  of  sham 
trials,  and  the  like,  arbitrarily  administered,  practically 
constitutes  our  grand  and  only  authoritative  system  of  ec- 
clesiastical jurisprudence.  Law,  either  constitutional,  stat- 
utory, or  constructive,  may  now  be  pleaded  for  almost  any 
thing  you  choose  to  undertake;  and  courts,  consisting  of 
a  Bishop  as  an  independent  tribunal,  an  "  official  board," 
created  and  governed  by  "  the  preacher  in  charge,"  or  "  a 
committee"  in  the  character  of  a  packed  secret-society  jury, 
may  be  resorted  to  for  almost  any  verdict  or  decision  you 
can  make  it  their  interest  to  render.  Both  laws  and  d«- 
cisions,  which  it  was  seen  the  pious  could  not  in  conscience 
obey,  are  contrived  up,  as  in  the  case  of  Daniel,  who  was 
given  the  alternative  of  idolatry  or  the  lions'  den,  on  pur- 
pose to  ensnare  and  destroy  them. 

The  clergy,  who  constitute  both  the  legislative  and  ex- 
ecutive departments  of  the  church,  aware  of  their  gross 
departure  from  God  and  Methodism,  and  the  hopelessness 
of  obtaining  their  support,  on  the  voluntary  principle, 
from  a  people  who  had  lost  all  confidence  in  them  as  Chris- 
tian Ministers,  resolved  upon  coercive  measures;  and  to 
ensure  a  support  they  could  not  otherwise  receive,  made 
it  a  condition  of  membership.  This  new  law,  introduced 
into  the  Discipline  in  so  clandestine  a  manner  as  to  leave 
the  people  unconscious,  at  least  for  a  while,  if  not  of  its 
existence  even,  yet  of  its  true  import  and  bearing,  was 
thenceforth  to  be  regarded  as  a  test  of  loyalty ;  its  one 
great  object  being  to  compel  the  people  to  support  the 


FREK   MKTIIODIST  CHURCH. 


15S 


preacliers  sent  to  them  by  the  Conference,  whatever  their 
c'liaracter  might  be;  or  in  case  of  foilure,  to  authorize  the 
expulsion  of  all  uon-paj  ing  members. 

But  though  the  design  of  the  law  in  question  was  con- 
cealed from  the  people  by  the  ambiguous  and  indefinite 
terms  in  which  it  was  couched,  lest  they  should  be  alarmed 
at  so  bold  and  higli-handed  an  encroacliment  upon  their 
rights;  it  was  by  no  means  hidden  from  those  a  little  more 
familiar  with  General  Conference  legislation  for  a  M'hile 
past.  They  saw  at  the  time,  and  proclaimed  it  also,  that 
in  causing  the  collection  of  monies  for  Church  purposes, 
on  the  part  of  the  preachers,  to  enter  into  the  examination 
of  their  character  before  the  Conferences  to  wliicli  thej 
resjjectively  belonged;  and  requiring  all  coming  into  full 
connection  as  members  of  the  Church,  to  promise  and 
pledge  themselves  to  support  her  institutions  and  minis- 
try according  to  their  ability;  they  saw,  we  say,  from 
such  legislation  of  the  General  Conference,  that  our  char- 
acter and  membership  wei'e  now  to  be  determined  by  a 
money  standard.    And  so  it  has  come  to  pass. 

Many  have  already  been  expelled  from  the  Church — 
ostensibly  for  something  else,  but  really  for  their  neglect 
or  refusal  to  support  a  Christless,  persecuting  ministry. 
Of  late,  however,  the  guise  has  been  thrown  ott',  and  mem- 
bers have  been  expelled  for  the  avowed  reason  that  they 
declined  to  support  the  preacher  who  had  been  placed  over 
themby  the  Conference.  A  single  instance,  communicated 
in  the  following  letter,  (copied  below,)  must  here  suffice: 

"East  Otto,  Cattaraugus,  March  IGtli,  1867. 

"Dear  Brother: — 

"I  was  present  when  Bro.  Stiles  and 
others  had  their  trials,  and  believed  tliey  were  wickedly 
expelled.  I  had  been  a  member  of  the  Cluirch  for  twenty- 
six  years,  and  was  strongly  attached  to  her.    But  when  I 


154 


A   HISTORY   OF  THE 


saw  the  conduct  of  the  Conference  in  expelling,  as  I  be- 
lieved, her  very  best  ministers,  I  felt  and  said  I  could  not 
receive  such  men  as  Gospel  ministers,  until  I  saw  in  them 
'  repentance,  confession,  and  satisfactory  reformation.'  A, 
L.  Chapin,  sent  to  this  circuit  by  the  Brookport  Confer- 
ence of  1859,  stated,  in  connection  with  his  sermon,  that 
'  he  was  told  some  of  the  Church  would  not  receive  him, 
nor  pay  him.'  He  said,  also, '  there  should  not  be  one  left 
in  the  Church  at  the  close  of  the  Conference  year,  that  did 
not  pay  him,  or  that  did  not  pay  "the  fifth  collection."' 
He  then  requested  me,  as,  class-leader,  before  sitting  down 
from  preaching,  to  see  each  member  of  my  class,  and  re- 
port to  the  Quarterly  Conference  whether  they  would  pay 
him  or  not.  I  called  on  each  member,  twenty-three  of 
them,  and  each  one  told  me  they  would  not  pay  him  ;  and 
the  most  of  them  said  they  would  not  hear  hira  preach 
again.  I  reported  accordingly  to  the  Quarterly  Conference ; 
when  he  said,  '  he  would  take  up  a  labor  with  me  and  my 
class.'  He  did  so.  They  all  came  to  my  house,  and  each 
one  told  him,  as  they  had  told  me  ;  upon  which,  four  of  ua 
were  notified  to  appear  before  '  a  committee,'  to  answer 
for  our  sins.  My  trial  came  on  first,  and  lasted  all  day. 
I  admitted  the  charge  to  be  true ;  and  Chapin,  after  con- 
sultation with  '  the  committee,'  reported  that  they  found 
nothing  against  my  moral  or  religious  character,  but  a  vio- 
lation of  our  rules.  Consequently,  I  was  expelled  from 
the  Church.  Yours,  truly, 

"  Dewey  Teft." 

We  have  now  before  us,  taking  in  all  the  facts  and  inci- 
dents hitherto  narrated  in  this  work,  a  pretty  full  view  of 
the  means  employed  by  tlie  M.  E.  Church  for  "  the  extir- 
pation of  heretics  :"  i.  e.,  Nazarites,  or  whoever,  under  any 
title,  bear  the  living  image  of  Christ, 


CHAPTER  nil. 


We  shall  now  lay  before  our  readers  the  proceedings  of 
two  large  and  very  respectable  Lay  Conventions,  that  it 
may  be  seen  how  the  people  regarded  the  character  and 
doings  of  the  Genesee  Conference  during  the  period  under 
consideration.  These  Conventions — the  one  held  at  Albi- 
on, December  1st  and  2d,  1858,  and  the  other  at  Olean, 
February  1st  and  2d,  1860 — were  composed  of  represoda- 
tive  men:  all  of  them  citizens  of  distinguished  intelligence 
and  piety,  whose  names  and  social  position  alone  had  great 
weight  with  the  community — especially  as  they  were  gatlr 
ered  from  evei'y  part  of  the  Conference,  and  "  knew  per- 
sonally what  they  said,  and  whereof  they  affirmed." 

As  the  doings  of  these  Conventions  speak  for  themselves, 
however, — as  well  in  regard  to  the  spirit  of  intelligence 
and  candor  which  pervaded  them,  as  to  the  facts  and  sen- 
timents they  exhibited — we  shall  here  give  the  official 
report  of  said  Conventions,  respectively,  without  the  alter- 
ation of  a  syllable.  It  will  then  be  seen  that  the  picture 
drawn  of  the  Genesee  Conference  in  the  foregoing  pages 
of  this  work,  is  not  a  mere  caricature  of  that  famous 
body — not  the  unmanly  torture  of  some  disaffected  party 
or  individual — but  a  faithful  portraiture,  taken  from  the 
very  life. 

These  Conventions,  let  it  be  remembered,  were  not  insti- 
gated by  the  outraged  brethren  whom  envy  had  thrown 
out  of  the  church ;  but  were  the  spontaneous  outbursts 
of  popular  indignation  in  behalf  of  the  suft'erers  and  their 
cause. 

155 


156 


FREE  METHOniST  CHURCH. 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  LAYMEN'S  CONVENTION, 

Held  at  Albion,  December  lat  and  2d,  1858. 

On  Wednesday,  pursuant  to  the  notice  in  the  call,  the 
members  of  the  Convention  met  in  the  M.  E.  Church  at 
Albion,  for  the  purpose  of  commencing  the  Convention 
with  a  Laymen's  Love  Feast.  It  was  a  season  of  much 
interest.  At  8  1-2  P.  M.  the  Love  Feast  was  closed,  and 
the  Convention  adjourned  to  Kingsland  Hall,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing. 

The  Convention  was  organized  by  the  election  of  the 
following  officers: 

President. 
ABNER  I.  WOOD,  of  Parma. 
Vice  Presidents. 

I.  M.  Chesbrough,  Pekin,  G.  C.  Sheldon,  Allegany, 

G.  W.  Holmes,  Kendall,  J.  H.  Brooks,  Clean, 

S.  C.  Springer,  Gowanda,  Geo.  Bascom,  Allegany, 

(!.  Sandford,  Perry. 

Secretaries. 

S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  Pekin,         W.  H.  Doyle,  Youngstown, 
J.  A.  Latta,  Brockport. 

Committee  on  Resolutions. 

S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  Pekin,         S.  S.  Rice,  Clarkson, 
W.  H.  Doyle,  Youngstown,  John  Billings,  Wilson, 

G.  W.  EsTRS,  Brockport,  A.  Ames,  Ridgeville, 

J.  Handly,  Perry. 

Committee  on  Finance. 

Nelson  Coe,  C.  Brainaud,  S.  P.  Briggs, 

S.  S.  Bryant,  Geo.  Holmes. 

The  Convention  was  addressed  bj^  L  M.  Chesbrough, 
Bro.  Eckler,  Bro.  A.  Castle,  and  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough. 
On  motion  adjouj-ned  to  9  o'clock  Thursday  morning. 


A  HISTORY    OF  THE 


157 


Thursday  Mor7iing. 
Convention  met  «it  9  A.  M. — A.  I.  Wood  in  the  chair.— 
tJonvention  opened  with  prayer  by  Alanson  Reddy. 
The  following  Call  was  then  read: 

GENESEE  CONFERENCE  LATMEN's  CONVENTION, 

There  has  been  manifested,  for  several  years  past,  a  dis- 
position among  certain  members  of  the  Genesee  Confer- 
ence, to  pnt  down,  under  the  name  of  fanaticism,  and  other 
opprobrious  epithets,  what  we  consider  the  life  and  power 
of  our  holy  Christianity.  In  pursuance  of  this  design,  by 
reason  of  a  combination  entered  into  against  them  by  cer- 
tain preachers,  the  Rev.  Isaac  C.  Kingsley,  and  Rev.  Loren 
Stiles,  Jr.,  were  removed  from  the  Cabinet  at  the  Medina 
Conference  ;  and  the  last  Conference  at  Perry,  after  a  trial 
marked  by  unfairness  and  injustice,  expelled  from  the  Con- 
ference and  the  Church  two  of  our  beloved  brethren — 
Benjamin  T.  Roberts,  and  Joseph  McCreery,  for  no  other 
reason,  as  we  conceive,  than  that  they  were  active  and 
zealous  ministers  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  were  in 
favor  with  the  people,  contending  earnestly  for  those  pe- 
culiarities of  Methodism  which  have  hitherto  been  essential 
for  our  success  as  a  denomination  ;  a)id  have  also  dropped 
from  the  Conference  two  worthy,  pious  and  devoted  young 
men,  viz.,  Frank  M.  Warner,  and  Isaac  Foster,  who,  during 
their  Conference  probation,  approved  themselves  more  than 
ordinarily  acceptable  and  useful  among  the  people ;  and 
also,  at  the  last  session  of  the  Conference,  removed  from 
the  Cabinet  Rev.  C.  D.  Burlingham,  the  only  remaining 
Presiding  Elder  who  opposed  their  sway.  For  several 
years  past  they  have  also,  by  consummate  "  clerical  diplo- 
macy," removed  many  of  our  worthy  members  from  official 
relation  to  the  Church,  for  no  other  reason  than  that  they 
approved  of  the  principles  advocated  by  these  brethren. 

Th«refore,  in  view  of  these  facts,  and  others  of  a  similar 


158 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


nature,  we,  the  undersigned,  hereby  invite  all  our  breth- 
ren who,  with  us,  are  opposed  to  this  proscriptive  policy, 
to  meet  with  us  in  Convention  at  Albion,  on  Wednesday  and 
Thursday,  December  1st  and  2d,  to  take  such  action  and 
adopt  such  a  course  as  the  exigencies  of  the  case  may  de- 
mand. Brethren,  the  time  has  come  when  we  are  to  act 
with  decision  in  this  matter.  The  Convention  will  com- 
mence Wednesday  evening,  at  1  o'clock,  by  holding  a  lay- 
men's love  feast.  We  hope  our  brethren  who  are  with  us 
in  this  matter  will  attend. 

Pekin.— I.  M.  Chesbrough,  R.  Wilcox,  J.  S.  Mitchell,  J.  B.  Pike, 
G.  P.  Rose,  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  Geo.  W.  Carl,  J.  P.  Raymond.  . 
Brockport. — J.  A.  Latta,  Franklin  Smith. 

West  Carlton. — Jesse  Murdock,  Chester  Williams,  Alanson 
Reddy. 

GowANDA. — A.  L.  ChafiFee,  J.  H.  Chaffee,  S.  C.  Springer,  Nathan 
C.  Cass,  Titus  Roberts,  Wm.  S.  Smallwood. 

Niagara  Falls. — I.  F.  Fairchild,  Jr.,  D.  B.  Ingraham,  John  Can- 
non, Sr.,  J.  H.  Jones. 

East  Clarkson. — S.  S.  Rice,  Ashbel  Tyler,  John  Shank,  James 
M.  CJusic,  John  Clow,  George  Marcellus,  M.  Moore,  John  Moore,  Da- 
vid Hoy,  John  Hoy,  Henry  Rice,  George  W.  Estes,  Henry  Moore, 
Henry  W.  Moore,  Henry  Fosmire,  John  Windust,  A.  Dual,  Isaac 
Secor,  Wra.  P.  Rice,  Wm.  H.  Thompson,  Daniel  Sinclair. 

Spencerport. — I.  B.  Cottrell,  Zenas  Brice,  Andrew  Van  Zile. 

North  Chili. — Thomas  Hanna,  John  Emmons,  Alexander  Pat- 
ten, Wm.  Porter,  Henry  Smith,  William  Hutchins,  Claudius  Brain- 
ard,  John  Prue. 

Ridgeville. — Ulysses  Hecox,  H.  E.  Gregory,  M.  N.  Downing,  A. 
Ames,  Henry  Rickard,  J.  R.  Hunt,  T.  Corliss,  J.  Corliss. 

Somerset.  John  Putnam. 

Albion. — J.  R.  Annis,  N.  Brown. 

YouNGSTOWN. — John  Hutchinson,  Christopher  Quade,  W.  H. 
Doyle,  Charles  Quade,  Daniel  Baker,  S.  H.  Baker,  William  Perry, 
Warren  Baker,  Andrew  Andrews. 

Allegany.— George  Bascom,  G.  C.  Sheldon,  W.  C.  Bockovan,  H. 
Chamberlain,  .John  D.  Ellis,  R.  R.  Eggleeton,  J.  B.  Freeland. 

Perry.— J.  Stainiou,  T.  B.  Catton. 


A  HISTORV  OF  THE 


159 


MiDDLEPORT. — Henry  McClean,  Isaac  C.  Vail,  Charles  Jackson, 
David  Welch. 

Kendalu— G.  W.  Holmes,  L.  F.  Halstead,  Nelson  Coe,  G.  W. 
Thomas,  Amos  CowoU,  William  Nobles,  A.  Wheeler. 

Caktville. — Darius  King,  John  D.  Stedman,  Thomas  Chappell, 
Edward  Tuttle,  William  Galliford,  Richard  Galliford,  Thomas  Hal- 
way,  M.  D.  Dailey,  Richard  Stevens,  O.  C.  Allen,  Lorenzo  Torrey, 
John  Isaac,  William  Manning,  Richard  Rice,  Thomas  Brierly,  Eben- 
ezer  Hart. 

Sweden.— Loren  Hill,  F.  A.  Ladue. 

Olean.— Wm.  P.  Culver,  T.  V.  Oviatt,  F.  Blackman,  S.  J.  Noble, 
J.  H.  Brooks,  R.  A.  Brooks,  A.  C.  Brooks. 

Parma  Centre. — A.  B.  Castle,  A.  I.  Wood,  C.  A.  Knox,  B.  Bur- 
ritt,  Peter  Van  Zile,  D.  A.  Wellman,  P.  Curtis,  Jr.,  J.  Fowler,  S.  M. 
Woodruff,  Fayette  Wood,  L.  S.  Bryan,  George  Curtis,  I.  Walker, 
Elias  Curtis,  P.  Curtis,  A.  Garlock,  James  Ireland. 

BURK  Hill  Charge.— Mark  N.  Velzy,  Burton  Patridge,  George 
Coleman. 

Gainesville. — Hiram  Parish,  John  Sherwood,  Anson  Card,  R^^. 
fus  Chamberlain,  Elisha  Brainard,  George  W.  Humphreys. 

After  the  reading  of  the  call,  the  following  persons  gave 
in  their  names  as  Laymen,  who  fully  endorsed  the  senti- 
ments expressed  in  the  Call,  and  who  were  present  to  act 
accordingly.  One  hundred  and  ninety-five  responded. — 
Their  names,  and  the  respective  charges  to  which  they  be- 
long, are  as  follows : 


Buffalo— mh  St. 
Dr.  J.  A.  Campbell. 

Attica. 
C.  R.  Reynolds. 

Bidgeville. 
Moses  N.  Downing, 
Ulysses  R.  Hecox, 
J.  R.  Hunt, 
Anthony  Ames. 


West  Falls. 
L.  Woods. 

Lockport. 
R.  Abbey, 
J.  H.  Blosser, 
N.  B.  Shearer, 
Joseph  Gatchell. 

Niagara  Falls. 
D.  B.  Ingraham. 


A  Icron. 
M.  O shorn. 

Batavia. 
William  Jones, 
George  Wilson, 
George  Body, 
James  McAlpine. 

Byron. 
M.  Andrews. 


IGO  A  UISTOUy  OF  THE 


Younffstown. 

Yates. 

Brockport. 

William  xl.  JJoyle. 

H.  DeLine, 

J.  A.  Latta, 

S,  Wood, 

T.  C.  Cowen, 

Wilson. 

J.  Lott, 

A.  Moore, 

J,  G.  Robinson, 

C.  Johnson, 

Franklin  Smith, 

A.  Dailey, 

Wm.  II.  Lott, 

E.  L.  Shepaid. 

Albert  Wliitiie}-, 

Wm.  Parsons, 

J<jliu  Billings. 

Isaac  C.  Parsons, 

Knowlesvillc. 

G.  W.  Furgerson, 

(  harlotte  and  Olcott. 

J.  Fuller, 

0.  L.  Walters, 

S.  Post, 

vv .  jjeijine, 

J.  0.  Brown. 

George  Clark. 

E,  Eslibaugh. 

Albion. 

Medina. 

J.  R.  Annis, 

Allegany. 

J.  ur.  LOuu, 

J.  Whitney, 

yi .  \j.  oiicitiou. 

T   AT  TTillo 

j .  iH.  mils, 

R.  C.  Van  Antwerp 

J.  Williams. 

J.  M.  Brace, 

Gowanda 

E.  W.  Mott, 

Titus  Roberts, 

West  Barre. 

W.  Van  Antwerp, 

S.  C.  Springer, 

Squire  Burns, 

Lewis  Howe, 

N.  C.  Cass. 

Edward  Parker, 

C.  B.  Pierson, 

Hiram  Snell, 

Albert  Benton, 

Sweden. 

R.  M.  Tinkham, 

J.  Hubbard, 

Loren  Hill, 

J.  Sanford. 

M.  L.  Fuller, 

T.  S.  LaDue, 

N.  F.  Chapin, 

b.  ijaL'U.e, 

itiuciuce. 

William  Graham, 

S.  B.  Saunders, 

J.  Hi.  Castle, 

M.  H.  Bronson, 

Jolin  Covven, 

Watson  Case, 

S.  M.  Forbes, 

A.  Robinson, 

B.  E.  Seaver. 

C.  Crandall, 

C.  L.  Steves. 

S.  P.  Briggs, 

Alabama. 

M.  A.  Dunning, 

Clarkson. 

<i .  O.  Vincent. 

yi.  \y .  Woodaiu, 

A.  Deuel, 

Benjamin  Babcock, 

S.  S.  Rice, 

LeRoy. 

A.  H.  Paine, 

Jolin  Hoy, 

R.  Teasdale. 

A  1  f  v^rl  "Will 

David  Hoy, 

Henry  Wilson, 

Wilson  Moore, 

HulbevtoTX. 

James  Graham 

Jolin  Windust, 

E.  W.  Butterfield, 

C.  Babcock, 

George  W.  Estes, 

M.  Terry, 

D.  E.  Tyler, 

John  Shank, 

R.  Huff, 

N.  H.  Brown, 

Henry  Moore. 

Wm.  Knight. 

D.  J.  Braman. 

FREE  METHODIST  CHURCU, 


161 


JXOllilUiV' 

SoTThCVSCt* 

Pekin. 

N.  Coe, 

Q.  G.  Rice, 

Isaac  M.  Chesbrough, 

Amos  Co  well, 

John  Putnam, 

R.  Wilcox, 

Stephen  Jencks 

Adam  Miller, 

J.  B.  Pike, 

J.  Higlej', 

J-  Nelson, 

S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough, 

N.  S.  Bennet, 

Thomas  Sherrif. 

Geo.  P.  Rose, 

William  Noble, 

Jas.  P.  Raymond, 

Jesse  Fountain, 

North  Chili. 

Judah  S  Mitchell, 

Alfred  Hornsby, 

C.  Brainard, 

John  Pletcher. 

William  Nichols, 

Wm.  Porter, 

G.  W.  Holmes, 

T.  Hannah, 

Caryville. 

L.  F.  Halstead, 

A.  Armin, 

AI.  T.  Dailey, 

A.  N.  Spears, 

John  Prue, 

Richard  Stevens, 

Robert  Scott. 

A.  Patten, 

William  Manning, 

Henry  Smith. 

Thomas  Chappell, 

Parma. 

Darius  King. 

A.  I.  Wood, 

Murray. 

B.  Burritt, 

John  M.  Brace. 

Ashury. 

S.  M.  Woodruff, 

M.  Seekins, 

P.  Van  Zile, 

North  Greece. 

C  Sperry, 

L.  S.  Bryan, 

L.  S.  Bryan. 

H.  S.  Husted, 

A.  B.  Castle, 

S.  Near. 

Fayette  Wood, 

County  Line. 

J.  Fowler. 

John  Haland. 

West  Carlton 

Jesse  Murdock, 

Smithport. 

Pavilion. 

Thomas  Eckler, 

W.  J.  Colgrove. 

A.  Pickard, 

Alanson  Reddy, 

E.  W.  Hutchinson. 

0.  L.  Waters. 

Olean. 

J.  H.  Brooks, 

East  Carlton. 

Barre. 

S.  J.  Noble. 

Lewis  Steadman. 

J.  G.  Sanborn. 

West  Carlton. 

Covington. 

Spe.ncerport. 

0.  S.  Waters. 

T.  J.  Jeffres, 

A.  Atchison, 

M.  W.  Velzey, 

A.  Van  Zile. 

Perry. 

James  Velzey, 

T.  B.  Catton, 

W.  C.  Bainbridge, 

Roy  niton  <&  Middlepol 

J.  Handley, 

G.  W.  Pattridge, 

Da^•id  Welch, 

David  Gates, 

A.  H.  Green, 

Philo  Ames, 

Olark  Sandford. 

L.  B.  Wolcott, 

F.  M.  Warner. 

B.  Heath. 

162 


A  HISTORY  OP  THK 


On  motion  of  Bro.  Estes,  it  was  moved  and  carried  thai 
no  member  of  this  Coiivention  shall  speak  more  tliaii  once 
on  any  one  question,  until  all  others  who  wisli  to  speak 
have  spoken.  And  tliat  no  one  be  allowed  to  sj)eak  more 
than  fi\e  minutes. 

On  motion  of  Bro.  Estes,  it  was  moved  and  cairied  that 
none  be  allowed  to  speak  or  vote  in  the  Convention  on  any 
question,  wlio  is  not  in  sympathy  with  this  Convention, 
and  approves  of  the  objects  set  forth  in  the  call. 

Tlie  Committee  on  Ikcsolutious  came  in  and  presented 
the  following  Ke])ort,  which  was  read  to  the  Convention: 

As  members  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  we  have  the 
deepest  interest  in  the  purity  of  lier  ministers.  To  them 
we  look  for  instruction  in  those  things  that  eflect  our  ever- 
lasting welfare. 

Their  ministrations,  and  their  example,  influence  us  to  a 
far  greater  extent  than  we  are  perhaps  aware  of  As 
Methodists,  we  liave  no  voice  in  deciding  who  shall  be 
our  respective  pastors.  Any  one  of  a  hundred,  whom 
those  holding  the  reins  of  power  may  select,  may  be  sent 
to  us,  and  we  are  ex])ected  to  receive  and  sustain  hiin. — 
AVe  may,  then,  properly  I'eel  and  express  a  solicitude  for 
the  ]>urity  of  the  ministry  at  large,  and  especially  i\.v  that 
portion  of  it  comprising  the  Genesee  Conference,  within 
the  bounds  of  which  Ave  reside. 

In  the  New  Testament,  we  learn  that  the  Apostles — 
enjoying,  as  they  did,  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost — 
were  accustomed,  on  important  occasions,  to  consult  the 
brethren  at  large,  and  to  proceed  according  to  their  ex- 
jjressed  decisions.  We  claim  that  reason  and  revelation 
both,  give  us  the  right  to  form  and  express  our  opinions 
of  ilic  |iiil)lic  actions  of  tlie  ministers  who  occupy  our  pul- 
pits, and  are  .sustained  by  our  contributions.  In  theory, 
at  least,  we,  as  ^Protestants,  deny  the  doctrine  of  infalli- 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUUC!!. 


bility.  It  is  possible  for  a  majority  of  a  Conference  to  be 
mistaken;  it  is  also  possible  that  they  may  take  action 
•which  is  unjust  and  wicked.  We  believe  that  Conferences, 
as  •well  as  other  public  bodies,  may  err,  and  that  their  acts 
are  proper  subjects  of  criticism,  to  approve  or  condemn, 
as  the  case  may  demand  ;  and  that  individual  members, 
for  an  honest  expression  of  their  convictions,  ought  not  to 
be  rewarded  with  proscription  or  excommunication :  oth- 
erwise, concealment  and  corruption  would  be  the  order  of 
the  day. 

We  look  upon  the  expulsion  of  Bros.  Roberts  and  Mc- 
Creery  as  an  act  of  wicked  persecution,  calling  for  the 
strongest  condemnation.  It  was  also  a  palpable  violation 
of  that  freedom  of  speech  and  of  the  press,  which  is  guar- 
anteed to  all  by  our  free  institutions. 

The  facts,  as  we  understand  them,  are  these :  For  years 
past,  among  the  preachers,  there  has  prevailed  a  division, 
growing  out  of  the  connection  of  some  with  secret  socie- 
ties— a  diversity  of  views  upon  the  doctrine  of  holiness, 
and  the  holding  of  different  views  of  the  standard  of  jus- 
tification. 

Writers  of  the  Regency  party  published,  in  the  Advo- 
cate and  other  papers,  articles  doing  great  injustice  to 
those  who  were  tiying  to  keep  up  the  old  land-marks  of 
Methodism.  Their  partisan  representations  were  produc- 
ing their  designed  effects.  Many  felt  that  the  time  had 
come  when  a  representation  of  the  other  side  ought  to  be 
made. 

Accordingly,  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  wrote  an  article  under 
the  title  of  "  New  School  Methodism,"  setting  forth  his 
views  of  the  questions  at  issue.  The  candor  and  good 
spirit  of  his  article  is  apparent.  We  have  ourselves  heard 
different  preachers,  in  sympathy  with  the  "  Regency  par- 
ty," set  forth  views  similar  to  those  ascribed  to  them  in 
"  New  ISchool  Methodism." 


164 


A    HISTORY  OF  THE 


For  writing  this  article,  a  charge  of  immorality  was 
preferred  against  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts.  He  stated  in  open 
Conference,  to  the  party  who  accused  him,  that  if  he  had 
misrepresented  them,  he  would  correct  and  publish  his 
mistake.  No  correction  was  made :  no  one  claimed  to 
have  been  misrejH-esented. 

The  charges  were  sustained  by  a  majority  vote,  though 
in  the  specifications  he  was  accused  of  having  written  what 
no  honest  construction  of  his  words  would  bear.  It  was 
eagerly  published,  far  and  wide,  that  this  useful  preacher 
liad  been  convicted  of  "  immoral  and  unchristian  conduct." 
To  satisfy  the  general  anxiety  and  desire  to  know  in  what  the 
"  immorality  "  consisted,  one  of  our  number  published  a 
second  edition  of  "  New  School  Methodism,"  the  charges, 
specifications,  and  a  short  account  of  the  trial.  For  circu- 
lating this  document,  these  two  brethren  were  tried  at  the 
last  Conference,  for  "  immoral  and  unchristian  conduct," 
and  expelled.  One  witness,  and  one  only.  Rev.  J.  Bow- 
man, testified  that  Bro.  R.  handed  him  a  package  of  these 
pamphlets  for  circulation,  but  which  he  never  circulated. 

Had  the  specifications  been  proved  ever  so  clearly,  they 
would  not  have  constituted  an  offence  <:?eserum^  of  censure. 
Upon  such  grounds  were  these  men  of  God,  Bros.  Roberts 
and  McCreery,  expelled  from  the  Conference  and  the 
Church.  It  would  have  been  reasonable  to  have  supposed, 
that  common  malignity  would  have  been  satisfied  with 
deposing  them  from  the  ministry.  But  such  was  the  ma- 
levolence of  those  controlling  a  majority  of  the  votes  of 
Conference,  that  they  could  not  stop  short  of  the  utmost 
limit  of  their  power.  Had  they  nc^t  been  restrained  by 
the  civil  law,  the  fires  of  martyrdom  might  have  been  kin- 
dled in  the  nineteenth  century,  in  Western  New  York. 

So  trifling  was  the  accusation  against  these  brethren, 
that  in  all  the  efibrts  that  have  been  made  to  vindicatt3 
those  voting  for  their  condemnation,  no  one  has  attempted 


PRBE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


icr, 


to  show  that  the  testimony  justified  the  decision.  Their 
only  defence  is,  "  If  these  men  did  not  deserve  to  be  ex- 
pelled for  circulating  the  pamphlet,  they  did  for  promoting 
enthusiasm  and  fanaticism."  If  so,  why  were  they  not 
tried  for  it  ?  Where  is  the  justice  of  trying  men  for  one 
thing,  and  condemning  them  for  another  ? 

In  reference  to  this  charge  of  "  fanaticism  and  enthusi- 
asm," we  feel  prepared  to  speak.  Our  means  of  informa- 
tion are  far  more  reliable  than  that  of  those  preachers 
•who  bring  the  accusation.  We  have  attended  the  "  Camp 
meetings  and  General  Quarterly  meetings,"  against  which 
a  special  outcry  has  been  made  as  the  "hot-beds  of  enthu- 
siasm." We  have  sat  under  the  preaching  of  these  breth- 
ren M'ho  are  charged  with  promoting  these  disorders — 
have  heard  some  of  them  by  tlie  year.  We  knoio  what 
Methodism  is;  some  of  us  were  converted,  and  joined  the 
Church,  under  the  labors  of  her  honored  pioneers.  We 
speak  advisedly,  then,  when  we  say  that  the  charge  brought 
against  Bros.  Roberts  and  McCreery,  and  the  class  of 
preachers  denominated  "  Nazarites,"  of  promoting  fanati- 
cism, is  utterly  false  and  yroundless.  They  are  simply 
trying  to  have  us  in  earnest  to  gain  heaven.  Instead  of 
attacking  the  Church,  they  are  its  defenders.  They  preach 
the  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Church,  as  we  used  to  hear 
them  preached  years  ago ;  and  through  their  instrumen- 
tality many  have  been  made  to  rejoice  in  the  enjoyment  of 
a  PKKSENT  AND  FULL  SALVATION.  We  canuot  Say  this  of 
their  opposers.  The  Regency  affirm  that  they  preach  the 
doctrines  of  holiness.  We  have  yet  to  hear  of  the  first 
person  who  has,  of  late  years,  experienced  this  blessing 
through  their  instrumentality.  On  the  contrary,  we  be- 
lieve some  of  them  have  put  down  the  standard  of  justifi- 
cation, far  below  what  INlethodism  and  the  Scriptures  will 
warrant.  Whether,  therefore,  we  consider  the  ostensible, 
or  the  real  cause  of  the  expulsion  of  Bros.  Roberts  and 


166 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


McCreery,  the  act  calls  for  and  receives  our  hearty  and 
earnest  coiKk-iniiation. 

Kur  can  we  pass  by,  as  undeserving  of  notice,  the  course 
pursued  by  the  "  Regency  party,"  whenever  complaints  of 
a  serious  cliaracter  have  been  brought  against  any  of  their 
n  umber. 

Reports  tliat  some  of  them  have  been  guilty  of  "  crimes 
expressly  forbidden  in  the  Word  of  God,"  and  involving  a 
higli  degree  of  moral  turpitude,  have  been  current.  Com- 
plaints have  been  made,  and  though  the  proof  of  their 
guilt  was  deemed  ample,  yet  they  have  been  summainly 
dismissed,  and  in  such  a  way  as  to  discourage  all  eiforts 
to  bring  to  justice,  before  the  Conference,  any  of  the  Re- 
genry  preaehei's,  no  matter  how  wicked  and  immoral  he 
may  be. 

Whetlier  iu  their  secret  meetings,  (the  existence  of 
M'hich  they  at  first  so  stoutly  denied,  but  afterwards  at- 
tempted to  defend,  when  they  were  fully  exposed,)  any 
combination,  expressed  or  implied,  was  entered  into  to 
screen  llieir  guilty  partisans,  and  persecute  their  innocent 
opposers,  we  liave  no  means  of  knowing  ;  but  it  appears  to 
us  such  has  been  the  result.  That  we  can  have  confidence 
in  the  Christian  cliaracter  of  those  whose  votes  are  given 
to  condemn  the  innocent,  and  to  screen  the  guilty,  is  im- 
possible. We  also  strongly  disapprove  and  condemn  the 
course  taken  liy  the  dominant  party  iu  keeping  out  of  Con- 
ference young  men  of  approved  piety,  talent,  and  promise 
simply  because  they  have  too  much  Christian  manliness, 
and  conscience  to  become  the  tools  of  designing  and  ambi- 
tious men.  We  are  true,  loyal.  God  fearing  Methodists. 
We  have  not  the  slightest  intention  of  leaving  the  church 
of  our  choice.  We  believe  the  evils  complained  of  may 
be  cured,  and,  for  this  jjurpose,  we  will  leave  no  proper 
means  untried. 

One  patent  remedy  is  within  our  reach — the  power  to 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


107 


witlihold  our  supplies.  "NVe  are  satisfied  that  no  inatter 
how  strongly  we  may  condemn  the  covirse  of  the  Kegency 
faction,  they  will  not  amend,  so  long  as  they  are  sustained. 
Besides,  we  cannot  in  conscience  give  our  money  to  put 
down  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Therefore,  we  wish  it  dis- 
tinctly understood,  that  we  cannot  pay  one  farthing  to 
preacher  or  presiding  elder,  who  voted  for  the  expulsion 
of  Bros.  Roberts  and  McCreery  ;  only  upon  "  contrition, 
confession,  and  satisfactory  reformation." 

It  may  be  thought,  by  some,  that  such  action  on  our 
part  is  revolutionary.  But  from  the  following  extracts,  it 
will  ai)pear  that  we  are  only  exercising  our  undisputed 
rights  in  a  constitutional  way. 

We  are  giving  unquestionable  proofs  of  our  loyalty  to 
the  Church,  by  thus  endeavoring  to  correct  one  of  the 
most  oppressive  and  tyrannical  abuses  of  power  that  was 
ever  lieard  of. 

We  trust  that  none  will  think  of  leaving  the  Church ; 
but  let  us  all  stand  by  and  apply  the  proper  legitimate 
remedy  for  the  shameless  outrages  that  have  been  perpe- 
trated under  the  forms  of  justice. 

We  quote  from  an  Essay  on  Church  Polity,  by  Rev. 
Abel  Stevens,  LL.D.  This  book  has  been  adopted  by  the 
General  Conference  as  a  text-book  in  the  course  of  study 
for  young  preachers.    Hence  it  is  of  the  highest  authority. 

Dr.  Stevens  says,  "Church  Polity,"  page  162  :  "  What 
check  have  the  people  on  this  machinery  ?  It  is  clear  that 
as  the  preachers  appoint  the  bishops,  and  the  bishops  dis- 
tribute the  preachers,  the  people  should  check  the  whole 
plan  by  a  counterbalance  upon  the  whole  ministerial  body. 
This  is  provided  in  the  most  decisive  form  that  it  could 
possibly  assume,  namely,  the  power  of  pecuniary  supplies. 
No  stipulated  contract  for  support  exists  in  the  Methodist 
economy.  The  Discipline  allows  a  certain  support,  but 
docs  not  enforce  it ;  and  no  Methodist  preacher  can  pros- 


168 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ecute  a  civil  suit  for  his  salary.  The  General  Conference 
disclaims  all  right  to  tax  the  property  of  our  members. 

"  A  Methodist  Church  has  no  necessity,  in  order  to  con- 
trol or  remove  the  preacher,  to  prosecute  him  by  a  tedious 
and  expensive  process  at  law,  but  simply  to  signify  that 
after  a  given  date  his  supplies  cease.  He  cannot  live 
on  air ;  he  must  submit  or  depart. 

"  This  would  be  a  sufficient  guarantee,  certainly ;  and 
this  check  applies  not  merely  to  a  specific  prerogative  of 
the  ministry,  but  to  the  whole  ministerial  system.  The  la- 
mented Dr.  Emory  thus  states  it : 

"  '  We  have  said  that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
possesses  elFective  and  substantial  security  against  any 
encroachments  of  tyranny  on  the  part  of  her  pastors. — 
For  the  sober  truth  is,  that  there  is  not  a  body  of  ministers 
in  the  whole  world  more  perfectly  dependent  on  those 
whom  they  serve  than  the  Methodist  itinerant  ministry. — 
Our  system  places  us,  in  fact,  not  only  from  year  to  year, 
or  from  quarter  to  quarter,  but  from  week  to  week,  within 
the  reach  of  such  a  controlling  check,  on  the  part  of  the 
people,  as  is  possessed,  we  verily  believe,  by  no  other  de- 
nomination whatever.'  " 

Dr.  Bond,  in  his  "  Economy  of  Methodism,"  page  35, 
pays:  "The  General  Conference  have  never  considered 
themselves  authorized  to  levy  taxes  upon  the  laity,  or  to 
make  any  pecuniary  contribution  a  condition  of  member- 
ship in  the  Church.  Our  preachers  are  totally  dependent 
upon  the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  laity  ;  and  we 
thereby  have  over  them  a  positive  and  absolute  control ; 
for  whenever  their  flocks  shall  withdraAV  their  support,  the 
preachers  will  be  under  the  necessity  of  abandoning  their 
present  pastoral  relations,  and  of  betaking  themselves  to 
some  secular  occupation.  The  traveling  preacher  who 
depends  for  bread,  both  for  himself  and  family,  upon  the 
good  will  of  the  lay  brethren,  can  have  no  temptation  to 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


169 


any  unwarrantable  or  odious  exercise  of  authority  over 
them." 

In  "  Ecclesiastical  Polity,  by  Rev.  A.  Fillmore,"  page 
166,  we  have  the  following:  "Methodist  preachers  have 
no  means  of  enforcing  the  payment  of  a  cent  for  their 
support,  for  although  the  Discipline  provides  for  a  certain 
allowance,  it  furnishes  no  means  to  obtain  it ;  and  there  is 
no  article  even  to  expose  a  member  to  censure  for  neglect- 
ing or  refusing  to  contribute  for  the  support  of  the  Gos- 
pel." 

Thus  the  right  to  withhold  supplies,  upon  good  and  suf- 
ficient reasons,  is  conceded  and  urged  by  standard  authors 
of  our  Church.  That  such  a  reason  now  exists,  must  be 
apparent  to  every  one  that  is  not  entirely  blinded  to  the 
claims  of  justice  and  humanity. 

Nor  can  we  approve  of  the  action  of  the  Bishop,  in  ap- 
pointing to  the  office  of  Presiding  Elders,  men  who  jiar- 
ticipated  in  the  proscriptive  measures  of  the  Regency  par- 
ty. We  think  that  station  ought  to  be  filled  with  men  Avho 
are  in  sympathy  with  the  life  and  power  of  godliness,  and 
who  are  laboring  to  promote  it.  We  look  upon  the  Church 
as  an  organization  established  to  aid  in  securing  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  and  not  mainly  to  raise  money. 

This  Convention  originated  among  ourselves.  The  first 
suggestion  was  made  by  one  of  our  number.  Neither  the 
brethren  expelled,  nor  any  of  the  members  of  the  Confer- 
ence, had  anything  to  do  whatever  with  calling  this  Con- 
vention. We  mention  this  fact,  because  the  insinuation  is 
frequently  made,  that  the  people  can  do  nothing  except  at 
the  instigation  of  the  preachers.  We  are  not  papists  - 
requiring  to  be  instructed  by  the  priesthood  at  every  turn, 
what  action  we  shall  take,  or  what  papers  and  books  we 
shall  read. 

We  assure  our  ministerial  brethren — both  those  who 
have  been  thrust  out  of  the  Conference,  and  those  who 


170 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


remain,  who  are  devoted  to  the  work  of  spreading  Scrip, 
tural  holiness — that  they  have  our  ardent  sympathy;  and 
as  long  as  they  employ  their  time  and  talents  in  endeavor- 
ing to  promote  the  life  and  power  of  godliness,  w-e  pledge 
ourselves  to  cordially  sustain  them,  by  onr  influence  and 
our  means,  whether  they  are  in  the  Conference  or  not, — 
Therefore, — 

Resolved,  That  we  have  the  utmost  confidence  in  Bros. 
]>.  T.  Koherts  and  Joseph  McCreery,  notwithstanding 
their  expulsion  from  the  Conference — ranking  them  as  we 
do  among  the  most  pure  and  able  ministers  of  the  New 

Testament. 

Jiesolred,  Tliat  we  adhere  to  the  doctrines  and  usages 
of  the  fathers  of  Methodism.  Our  attachment  to  the  M. 
E.  Church  is  e;u-ncst  -ind  licarty  ;  l)ut  we  do  not  acknowl- 
edge the  oppressive  pf;li('y  of  the  secret  fraternity  in  the 
Conference,  knoM  u  as  the  ]>utFalo  Kegency,  as  the  action 
of  the  Cluircli,  and  we  cannot  and  will  not  submit  to  the 
same.  We  linld  it,  ns  a  gross  mal-administration  under 
the  assumed  sanction  of  judicial  forms. 

Resolved,  That  tlie  laity  are  of  some  use  to  the  Church, 
and  that  their  views  and  o])inions  ought  to  command  some 
little  respect,  rather  titan  that  cool  contempt  with  which 
their  wishes  have  been  treated  by  some  of  the  officials  of 
the  Conference,  for  several  years  past. 

Resolved,  Th:.t  the  farcical  cry  of  disunion  and  secession 
is  the  artful  production  of  designing  men,  to  frighten  the 
feeble  and  timid  into  their  plans  of  operation  and  proscrip- 
tion. We  wish  to  have  it  distinctly  understood  that  Ave 
have  not,  and  never  had,  the  slightest  intention  of  leaving 
the  Church  of  our  choice,  and  tliat  we  heartily  approve 
of  the  course  of  Bros.  Roberts  and  IMcCreery  in  re-joining 
the  Church  at  their  first  opportunity ;  and  we  hope  that 
the  oppressive  and  un-methodistic  .administration  indicated 
in  the  pastoral  address  as  the  current  policy  of  the  majority 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


171 


of  the  Conference,  will  not  drive  any  of  our  brethren  from 
the  Churcli.  Methodists  have  a  better  right  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  than  anybody  else,  and  by  GocPs 
grace,  in  it  we  intend  to  remain. 

Hesolvedy  That  it  is  a  matter  of  no  small  grievance  and 
of  detriment  to  the  Church  of  God,  that  these  preachers, 
in  their  local,  pastoral  administration,  have  deliberately 
set  themselves  to  exclude  from  official  position  in  the 
Church,  leaders,  stewards,  and  trustees,  members  of  deep 
and  undoubted  Christian  experience,  because  of  their  ad- 
hesion to  spiritual  religious  Methodism,  and  to  supjily  tlieir 
places  Avith  persons  of  slight  and  superficial  religions  ex- 
perience, because  of  their  adhesion  to  a  worldly-policy 
Methodism. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  not  aid  in  the  support  of  any 
member  of  the  Genesee  Conference  who  assisted,  either  by 
his  vote  or  his  influence,  in  the  expulsion  of  Bros.  Roberts 
and  McCreery  from  the  Confei-ence  and  the  Cliurcli,  until 
they  are  fully  reinstated  to  their  former  position  ;  and  that 
we  do  recommend  all  those  who  believe  that  these  breth- 
ren have  been  unjustly  expelled  from  the  Confei-ence  and 
the  Church,  to  take  the  same  course. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  and 
Rev.  J.  McCreery  to  travel  at  large,  and  labor,  as  oppor- 
tunity presents,  for  tlie  promoting  of  the  work  of  God  and 
the  salvation  of  souls. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  Bro.  Roberts  to  locate 
his  family  in  the  city  of  Buflalo. 

Resolved,  That  in  our  opinion,  Bro.  Roberts  should  re- 
ceive $1,000  for  his  support  during  the  ensuing  year,  and 
Bro.  McCreery  should  receive  $600. 

Resolved,  Tliat  we  recommend  the  appointment  of  a 
committee  of  fifteen  to  carry  out  the  above  resolutions, 
each  of  whom  shall  be  authorized  to  ajjpoint  collectors  as 
they  may  deem  necessary;  and  we  also  recommend  the 


172 


A    HISTORY  OF  THE 


appointment  of  a  treasurer,  to  whom  all  moneys  received 
for  the  purpose  shall  be  paid,  and  who  shall  pay  out  the 
Bame,  pro  rata,  to  Bros.  Roberts  and  McCreery,  and  re- 
ceive their  receipts  for  the  same. 

Hesolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  preamble  and 
fesolutions  be  forwarded  to  the  Northern  Independent, 
with  a  request  that  the  same  be  published. 

S,  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  Pekin, 
William  Dotle,  Youngstown, 
George  W.  Estes,  Brockport, 
S.  S.  Rice,  Clarkson, 
John  Billings,  Wilson, 
Jonathan  Handley,  Perry, 
Anthony  Ames,  Ridgeville, 

Committee  on  Resolutions. 

The  first  Resolution  was  read  the  second  time,  and 
passed  by  a  unanimous  vote. 

The  second  Resolution  was  read,  and  passed  by  a  unan- 
imous vote. 

The  third  Resolution  was  read,  and  passed  by  a  unani- 
mous vote. 

The  fourth  Resolution  was  read. 

Bro.  Jeffers,  of  Covington,  was  not  willing  that  the 
Committee  on  Resolutions  should  do  all  the  thinking  and 
speaking  for  us.  I  came  here  for  light;  I  came  here  to  be 
instructed. 

After  several  brethren  liad  spoken  upon  the  propriety 
of  using  the  words  "  designing  men,"  the  resolution  was 
passed  by  a  unanimous  vote. 

The  fifth  Resolution  was  then  read,  and  called  forth  a 
spirited  discussion,  in  which  several  of  the  brethren  en- 
gaged. 

Bro.  T.  H.  Jefiers,  of  Covington,  said :  Mr.  President, 
the  Committee  state  certain  things  in  respect  to  appoint- 
ments, removals,  and  nominations  to  Church  offices,  which 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUHCH. 


173 


I,  for  one,  do  not,  from  personal  knowledge,  know  to  be 
true  ;  I  may  believe  them,  but  I  wish  to  know.  I  am  down 
here  from  old  Covington  circuit,  in  charge  of  which  the 
Conference  has  not  yet  ventured  to  put  one  of  the  preach- 
ers of  that  faction  whose  policy  is  censured  in  this  resolu- 
tion. The  expense  of  enslaving  us  to  this  policy  will  cost 
more  than  the  experiment  is  worth,  I  mistrust,  when  it 
shall  be  tried.  But  I  do  not  wish  to  vote  what  I  do  not 
know  pereonally.  When  called  In  question  for  my  vote, 
I  want  au  answer  ready.  I  call  for  the  testimony  under 
this  specification. 

Bro.  Dunham,  of  Knowlesville,  though  usually  in  favor 
of  expedition  in  public  meetings,  was  nevertheless  glad  to 
see  a  debate  opened  on  this  resolution.  Does  this  resolu- 
tion call  in  question  the  right  of  tlie  preacher  to  remove 
and  appoint  leaders,  and  to  nominate  and  tliereby  virtu- 
ally appoint  stewards  and  trustees,  as  prescribed  in  the 
Discipline  ?  He  hoped  we  should  be  guarded,  and  gire 
no  just  occasion  to  be  charged  with  disloyalty  and  revo- 
lutionary insubordination.  He  wanted  all  grievances  re- 
dressed in  an  orderly  and  constitutional  way,  if  possible. 

Bro,  G.  W.  Estes,  of  Clarkson,  said  :  Not  at  all.  It  is 
everywhere  conceded  that  the  preacher  has  a  perfect  dis- 
ciplinary right  to  appoint  whomsoever  he  pleases  to  the 
leadership,  and  to  nominate  whom  he  pleases  for  stew- 
ards and  trustees.  Would  to  God  they  would  observe  the 
Discipline  as  closely  in  some  other  matters  also  !  We  have 
no  controversy  with  the  law,  or  its  legitimate  administra- 
tion. The  law  is  good,  when  methodistically  administered ; 
but  when  a  foreign,  unmethodistic  power  steps  in  to  ad- 
minister it,  contrary  to  its  obvious  import  and  spirit,  such 
administration  becomes  a  grievance,  and  a  detriment  to 
the  Church.  It  is  virtually,  if  not  literally,  a  mal-admin- 
istration,  and  should  be  corrected.  If  the  preaclier  wishes 
to  appoint  an  idiot  or  a  blackleg  leader,  or  nominate  him 


174 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Steward  or  trustee,  no  one  will  question  his  prerogative  to 
do  so  :  it  is  his  right  under  the  law.  But  we  have  a  right 
to  feel  aggrieved  at  it,  and  to  say  so.  And  this  is  all  that 
this  resolution  does.  What  is  complained  of  in  this  reso- 
lution has  been  done  all  through  the  land.  The  "  orders 
in  council  "  to  this  effect  were  published  in  the  Buffalo  or- 
gan of  the  faction  more  than  three  years  ago,  and  have 
been  faithfully  executed,  whenever  practicable  to  do  so. 
At  Brockport,  a  man  (here  present,)  was  trustee  year  after 
year,  while  a  backslider,  and  out  of  the  Church.  But  as 
soon  as  he  got  religion,  and  began  to  pray  in  his  family, 
and  joined  the  Church,  and  attended  class  and  prayer 
meetings,  he  was  turned  out  of  the  trusteeship  at  the  very 
next  election,  through  the  intrigues  of  the  preacher.  His 
religion  was  such  as  spoilt  him  for  the  office.  It  was  of 
the  sort  to  make  a  difference  in  him  from  what  he  was  be- 
fore, and  thus  disqualified  him  for  official  position  in  the 
Church.  Salvation  is  at  a  heavy  discount  in  Brockport. 
But  there  is  a  little  in  bank  there  yet — glory  to  God ! 

Bro.  J.  Smith,  of  Brockport:  Yes,  that  is  so — bless 
the  Lord  !  After  all  our  persecutions,  there  are  some  left 
in  Brockport  who  have  survived  the  removal  of  leaders ; 
and  what  is  more,  the  appointment  of  leaders.  Bro.  Estes 
has  spoken  somewhat  of  our  affairs,  and  in  so  doing,  has 
called  me  out.  But  the  half  has  not  been  told.  Bro. 
Estes  was  once  leader  there  ;  I  was  also.  His  class  and 
mine  were  well  filled  always — his  to  overflowing.  Every- 
body, as  fast  as  they  got  religion,  Avanted  to  join  one  or 
the  other  of  these  classes.  The  "  fanaticism,"  as  it  was 
called,  predominated  in  them,  and  drew  a  room  full  every 
time.  If  the  preacher  came  in  to  try  and  stem  the  tide, 
it  was  no  use ;  it  swept  over  him  like  a  rush.  Soon  the 
classes  were  divided,  and  cut  up,  in  a  way  to  stop  the  "fa- 
naticism," as  God's  work  was  called.  Some  of  the  live 
ones  were  put  into  another  class,  under  a  secret-society 


FKEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


1V5 


leader,  to  cool  them  down.  But  when  he  came  to  meet 
his  class,  there  were  present,  all  told,  one  traveling  preach- 
er, one  local  preacher,  one  leader,  and  one  poor,  pious  col- 
ored girl,  who  thought  she  must  meet  class  Avhere  she  was 
set  to.  She  protested  against  being  thought  of  so  much 
cousequence  as  to  require  two  preachers  and  one  leader  to 
lead  her;  so  she  fled  back  to  tlie  fold  again.  Soon  our 
class-books  were  called  for  to  be  looked  o\qi;  and  Avere 
kept  for  nine  weeks,  during  which  time  nolxxly  kncvv'  who 
was  leader.  After  a  while,  Bro.  Estes  was  removed,  and 
at  length,  I  also.  There  seonied  to  be  a  harder  eifort  to 
kill  out  the  life  and  power  of  religion,  tlian  to  get  souls 
saved ;  and  all  the  appointments  by  tlie  preacher  seemed 
to  look  in  that  direction.  Tlie  resolution  is  emphatically 
appropriate,  as  far  as  the  administration  in  Brockport  is 
concerned. 

Bro.  T.  B.  Catton  said  :  I  hail  from  Perry.  We  had  a 
session  of  the  Genesee  Conference  tliere  lately :  therefore, 
we  are  here.  We  had  a  leader  of  twenty  years'  standing; 
he  had  stood  througli  thick  and  thin;  he  was  not  a  man 
to  be  spoken  against.  Like  leader,  like  class.  There  was 
life  and  power  in  our  class  and  ])rayer-ineetings — just  as 
there  had  been  from  the  beginning.  We  were  chiefly 
English,  and  knew  what  Metliodism  was.  Tnvo  years  ago, 
(I  call  no  names — the  Minutes  will  show  who  was  our 
preacher,)  the  preacher  took  a  fancy  that  the  sort  of  relig- 
ion we  had  was  a  little  too  antiquak'd,  or  vociferous,  or 
something  of  that  sort ;  and  so  our  class  was  disbanded, 
leader  and  all,  and  set  ofl'  to  other  classes.  This  Avas  con- 
sidered an  underhanded  way  of  doing  what  the  preacher 
did  not  dare  to  do  directly.  This  is  not  the  only  instance 
in  which  the  heritage  of  the  Lord  has  been  wasted  there. 
Periy  was  once  a  strong  society — eminently  INIethodistic. 
We  have  slept  while  the  enemy  has  been  sowing  tares. — 
We  have  had  too  much  confidence  in  our  ministers.  We 


176 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


took  it  for  granted  they  were  servants  of  God  and  of  the 
Cliurch,  -while  in  fact  they  were  the  servants  of  a  secret 
inquisition  in  our  midst.  The  Conference  session  at  Perry 
has  opened  the  eyes  of  our  people  there.  We  presume  no 
member  of  the  majority  will  care  to  be  stationed  at  Perry 
another  year.  We  were  chiefly  English,  and  they  counted 
on  our  Methodistic  loyalty  to  sustain  the  preacher  they 
have  sent  us.    Some  will  do  it — if  they  choose, 

Bro.  W.  Parsons,  of  Yates,  said :  I  hail  from  a  quarter 
of  the  Lord's  plantation,  where  the  policy  complained  of 
has  been  pursued  as  far  as  circumstances  would  admit 
without  provoking  open  insurrection.  Indeed,  we  are  very 
little  short  of  that  condition  now.  At  our  last  election  for 
trustees,  two  old  and  substantial  members  were  left  out  of 
the  board,  and  their  places  filled  by  younger  men,  notori- 
ous for  adhering  to  worldly-policy  Methodism.  Three  old 
trustees  were  called  upon  privately,  and  inquired  of  if 
they  would  use  their  official  influence  against  the  Nazar- 
ites,  as  the  religious  part  of  the  society  was  called.  They 
answered  that  they  should  go  in  for  the  life  and  power  of 
religion,  as  they  always  had  done.  They  were  then  told 
that  they  could  not  be  elected ;  and  all  the  outsiders  who 
had  ever  attended  meeting,  or  who  had  paid  a  quarter  at 
a  donation,  were  rallied  out  to  vote  against  them.  The 
influence  and  management  of  the  preacher  controlled  the 
election,  as  is  generally  the  case.  Since  then,  and  no 
longer  ago  than  last  week,  the  church  was  locked  against 
the  funeral  of  one  of  the  most  aged  and  wealthy  members, 
because  he  had  selected  Bro.  Roberts  to  officiate  on  the 
occasion ;  and  this  act  received  the  public  commendation 
of  the  venerable  author  of  the  Pastoral  Address.  There 
is  no  time  to  mention  all  the  cases  sustaining  the  grievan- 
ces set  forth  in  this  resolution.  But  in  the  midst  of  all, 
they  cannot  hinder  us  from  enjoying  salvation  in  our  souls ; 
the  consolations  of  God  abound  to  us  in  the  midst  of  all 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


177 


our  persecutions.  Glory  to  Jesus  !  A  goodly  number  in 
Yates  remain,  who  mean  to  be  free  and  enjoy  religion  at 
all  hazards.  "What  the  Pastoral  Address  means  by  our 
"  exciting  insubordination  and  enjoying  religion,"  is  this  : 
Most  of  those  who  profess  to  enjoy  religion  in  Yates,  refuse 
to  pay  our  money  for  doing  the  work  that  was  done  at  the 
iast  two  Conferences ;  but  apply  it  to  help  those  brethren 
■who  are  persecuted  by  this  secret-society  faction  in  the 
Conference.  This  insubordinate  conduct  Ave  propose  to 
continue,  as  necessarily  antecedent  to  enjoying  religion. 

Bro.  Jones,  of  Batavia,  said:  This  resolution  will  be 
perfectly  intelligible  in  Batavia;  it  will  not  need  any  com- 
ment. We  have  a  preacher  who  goes  the  whole  Regency 
figure  with  a  strong  hand.  We  had  a  leader  there,  who 
had  filled  the  oflice  for  many  years;  he  was  an  old-liue 
Methodist.  It  would  not  sound  well  to  remove  him  out- 
right ;  besides  this,  he  had  a, pocket  which  might  have 
been  afiected  adversely  by  open  proscription.  So  an  as- 
sistant leader,  a  tool  of  the  preacher,  was  appointed ;  and 
being  sustained  by  the  preacher  and  governed  by  his  in- 
structions, he  acted  in  such  an  outrageous  manner,  that 
our  old  leader,  (who  was  a  peaceful  man,)  gave  up  his 
class-book  to  avoid  controversy  and  collision  in  the  class- 
room. By  this  crafty  means,  the  preacher  got  rid  of  him 
without  directly  turning  him  out.  He  was  a  man  of  deep 
piety,  and  of  substantial  social  position  in  the  community. 
Also,  a  brother  was  turned  out  for  saying  "amen"  in 
meeting.  The  charge  against  him,  in  imitation  of  Confer- 
ence prosecutions,  was  lor  "  unchristian  and  immoral  con- 
duct;  "  but  everybody  in  our  vicinity  knew  this  to  be  only 
a  judicial  sham.  About  the  time  of  the  Caryville  General 
Quarterly  Meeting,  he  had  committed  the  crime  of  getting 
unreasonably  blessed  in  meeting,  even  beyond  an  "  innate 
sense  of  propriety,"  and  was  turned  out  of  the  synagogue 
for  that  "  unchristian  and  innnoral  conduct  "    About  the 


178 


A  BISTORT  OF  THE 


same  time,  our  preacher  prepared  a  document  forbidding 
the  saying  "  amen  "  in  meeting,  or  anything  of  that  sort, 
and  wanted  tlie  official  board  to  sign  it.  Our  leader,  and 
some  others,  would  not  do  it,  which  made  him  more  furious 
than  ever.  We  have  had  great  times  in  Batavia;  but  the 
work  of  God  grows  more  and  more  in  the  midst  of  all 
these  persecutions.  The  devil  is  evidently  alarmed  for  his 
kingdom  there,  and  the  preacher  manifests  a  similar  con- 
cern. All  these  removals  and  appointments  are  only  the 
necessary  evolutions  to  embody  his  forces  into  a  more  effect- 
ive array  against  living,  spiritual  Methodism.  But, 

"  We'll  drive  the  battle  on , 
We'll  drive  the  battle  on  ; 
In  Jesus'  might  we'll  stand  the  fight, 
And  drive  the  battle  on." 

Bro.  Jeffers,  of  Covington,  said :  Now  we  have  got  the 
testimony  in  this  case,  I  think  we  may  as  well  pass  the 
resolution.  All  I  wanted  was  to  get  the  facts  before  this 
body.  Our  living  membership  ought  not  to  be  imposed 
upon  by  having  such  officials  set  over  them.  Methodism 
was  designed  to  be  officiated  by  religious  men  ;  not  by  the 
menials  of  an  inquisition,  nor  the  ungodly  devotees  of 
worldly  policy.  The  people  ought  not  only  to  speak  out, 
but  to  act  out — strike  this  Upas  at  the  root. 

On  motion,  the  Convention  adjourned,  to  meet  again  at 
half-past  one  o'clock. 

Afternoon  Session. 

Convention  met.  A.  I.  Wood  in  the  chair.  Prayer  by 
Bro.  , 

The  Committee  on  Finance  reported  that  we  should 
need  about  twenty-five  dollars  to  defray  expenses.  On 
motion,  a  collection  was  then  taken  up;  amounting  to 
twenty-four  dollars,  which  was  decided  sufficient,  and  the 
Committee  was  discharged. 


FPvEK  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


179 


The  sixth  Resolution  was  then  read. 

Bro.  Jefters  arose  and  said :  Mr.  Chairman,  we  have  a 
right,  under  proper  circumstances,  to  use  Scripture  phrases. 
"  By  the  life  of  Pharoah,"  I  perceive  that  ye  are  designing 
men  !  I  perceive  that  ye  are  come  here  to  act  with  decis- 
ion. I  have  always  been  a  Methodist.  My  mother  and 
father  were  converted  under  the  labors  of  John  Wesley. 
No  wonder,  then,  that  I  am  so  fully  attached  to  the  Church 
of  my  choice.  My  father  died  before  my  remembrance. 
My  mother  was  poor.  She  had  to  use  the  most  rigid  econ- 
omy, in  order  to  support  tlie  family.  Yet,  amid  all  our 
penury,  my  mother  always  paid  her  quarterage ;  and  I  well 
remember  how  she  used  to  say  to  us,  "  Children,  quarterly 
meeting  is  coming  around  ;  we  must  pay  our  preacher ;  we 
have  no  money.  "What  is  to  be  done  ?  You  must  go 
without  butter."  Yes,  sir;  we  used  to  eat  our  bread  dry, 
for  two  or  three  weeks ;  and  my  mother  would  take  the 
butter  so  saved  to  the  store,  and  get  money  to  pay  our 
preacher.  This  is  the  way  my  mother  tauglit  me.  I  may 
Avell  say  that  I  drew  from  my  mother's  breast  the  practice 
of  paying  the  Methodist  preacher.  I  have  always  done 
so.  But,  sir,  in  this  resolution  we  say,  that  we  will  with- 
hold our  money  from  certain  preachers.  Sir,  is  tliere  no 
other  way  to  meet  this  difficulty  ?  Can  there  be  no  other 
means  used  ?  I  would  to  God  that  there  could  ;  but,  sir, 
I  can  not  see  how  we  are  to  meet  the  case  in  any  other 
way.  It  is  a  very  strong  measure  ;  but,  sir,  upon  mature 
reflection,  I  must  vote  for  the  resolution. 

Cries  trom  all  over  the  Convention — "  Question,  ques- 
tion.' 

The  resolution  was  then  passed,  by  a  unanimous  vote. 

The  seventh,  eight,  ninth,  and  tenth  Resolutions,  were 
then  unanimously  passed. 

The  following  committee  were  then  appointed,  as  called 
for  in  the  tenth  resolution : 


180 


A  HISTOKT  OF  THE 


Isaac  M.  Chesbrough,  Treasurer,  Post  Office  address,  South 
Pekin,  Niagara  Co. 

Buffalo  District— A.  W.  Perry,  Ira  P.  Wheeler,  M.  Osborn. 

Niagara  District. — W.  H.  Doyle,  Isaac  C.  Parsons,  S.K.J. 
Cliesbrougli. 

Genesee  District.— A.  Van  Zile,  S.  S.  Rice,  John  Dorman. 
Wyoming  District.— J.  Grisewood,  C.  Reynolds,  E.  J.  Jeffers. 
Olean  District.- S.  J.  Noble,  G.  C.  Sheldon,  George  Bascom. 

The  eleventh  Resolution  was  then  read.  A  motion  was 
made  to  amend  by  adding  the  Northern  Christian  Advo- 
cate. 

Bro.  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough  said  :  Mr.  Chairman,  I  shall 
oppose  the  amendment  from  personal  feelings.  I  prepared 
a  copy  of  the  call  for  the  Northern,  and  mailed  it  myself, 
at  tlie  same  time  that  I  mailed  the  one  to  the  Independent, 
but  it  was  not  publislied.  We  have  every  evidence,  sir, 
that  that  paper  is  not  in  sympathy  with  us  or  our  Conven- 
tion. I  am  willing  to  write  as  many  copies  as  you  may 
order ;  but  I  think  the  time  had  better  be  spent  in  prayer, 
tlian  writing  for  the  Northern  what  we  know  will  not  be 
published  in  that  paper.  I  thank  God  we  have  a  paper 
througli  wliose  columns  we  may  speak.  I  hope  we  will, 
to  a  man,  sustain  the  Independent. 

Bro.  Jeffers  said:  Mr.  Chairman,  I  know  what  the 
brother  has  said  is  true  ;  but,  sir,  we  read  of  the  Avidow 
and  unjust  judge,  and  though  he  feared  neither  God  or 
man,  yet,  lest  she  should  weary  him  with  her  continual 
coming,  he  granted  her  her  desire.  I  hope  we  will  try 
nir.'iin.    I  liope  the  amendment  will  pass. 

^Motion  to  amend  lost.  The  resolution  as  read  was  then 
passed,  and  the  preamble  and  resolutions,  as  a  whole,  were 
ad(ii)ted. 

Rev.  B.  I.  Ives,  of  Auburn,  was  called  for,  and  came 
forward  and  addressed  the  Convention.  His  speech  was 
such  as  Bro.  Ives,  and  he  only,  could  make.  Tiie  history 
of  the  "  rise  and  progress  "  of  the  Independent,  Avas  given 


PUEE  METHODIST  CHllHcn. 


181 


in  such  a  manner  as  to  open  the  eyes  of  iiiaiiy  of  tlie  Con- 
vention to  the  importance  of  more  i'liUy  sustaining  the 
paper.  After  the  conclusion  of  his  address,  the  following 
resolution  was  passed  : 

Jiesolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  are  due, 
and  are  hereby  tendered  to  Bro.  Ives,  for  the  remarks 
which  we  have  had  the  pleasure  of  listening  to. 

It  was  then 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  are  hereby 
tendered  to  the  inhabitants  of  Albion,  for  their  kindness 
in  entertaining  the  members  of  this  Convention  during 
their  stay  in  the  village. 

Hesoloed,  That  when  we  adjourn,  we  adjourn  to  meet 
at  North  Bergen,  June  25th,  1859, — appropriate  notice  to 
be  given  by  the  President  and  Secretary. 

The  following  resolutions  were  then  passed  : 

Hesolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  correspond 
with  brethren  in  different  parts  of  the  work,  upon  the  pro- 
priety of  establishing,  in  the  city  of  Buffalo,  a  periodical 
devoted  to  the  advocacy  of  "  Earnest  Christianity." 

The  Chair  appointed  the  following  committee:  Rev.  B. 
T.  Roberts,  Rev.  Lorin  Stiles,  Rev.  C.  D.  Burlingham, 
Leonard  Halstead,  S.  C.  Springer,  G.  C.  Slicldon. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  Publishing  Association 
of  the  N'orthern  Independent  our  hearty  thanks  for  their 
liberality  in  opening  their  columns  for  the  publication  of 
our  notices,  and  for  its  fearless  defense  of  truths  pertain- 
ing to  our  interests. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  we  now  commence  a  subscription  for 
the  support  of  Bros.  Roberts  and  McCreery,  as  provided 
in  the  ninth  resolution. 

Subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  $425  were  made,  of 
which  $97.50  was  paid  in. 

Convention  then  adjourned. 


182 


A    HISTORY  OF  THE 


From  the  Olean  Advortlsor. 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  LAYIIEN'S  CONVENTION, 

Of  ihe  M.  E.  Church,  Genesee  Conference,  held  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  Olcan,  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  Feb.  Ut  and  2nd,  1800. 

A  Convention  of  the  Laymen  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  assembled,  pursu- 
ant to  a  call,  which  we  published,  at  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  this  village.  The  Convention  was  large,  every 
charge  or  congregation  in  the  Conference  being  represent- 
ed. It  was  at  first  intended  to  hold  the  Convention  in 
the  Methodist  Church  in  this  village ;  but  Judge  Green, 
upon  the  application  of  a  member  of  the  Church,  granted 
an  injunction  restraining  and  forbidding  the  trustees  to 
open  their  edifice  for  this  purpose.  With  a  commendable 
liberality,  the  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  ten- 
dered the  use  of  their  house  for  the  holding  of  the  Con- 
vention. 

At  10  o'clock,  on  Wednesday  moraiaig,  Abner  I.  Wood, 
President  of  the  Laymen's  Convention,  called  the  delegates 
to  order,  and  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  Secretary,  assumed  the 
duties  of  bis  ofiice.  Our  reporter,  George  W.  Norton, Esq., 
gives  us  the  following  elaborate  report  of  the  proceedings : 

The  Convention  opened  with  prayer  by  Mr.  S.  C.  Spring- 
er, of  Gowanda;  after  which  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Ches- 
brough, read  the  call  of  the  Convention.  He  also  read  a 
letter  from  D,  W.  Tinkham,  expressing  his  strong  sympa- 
thy with  the  object  of  the  Convention. 

A  resolution  was  otTered  and  adopted,  requesting  Bro. 
L.  Stiles,  Jr.,  to  preach,  and  administer  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  Supper,  this  evening. 

Mr.  Chesbrough  presented  a  lengthy  memorial  to  the 
Greneral  Conference,  upon  the  subject  of  the  expelled  min- 
isters, which  was  read,  and  laid  upon  the  table  for  the 
present, 

A  motion  was  made  and  adopted,  tliat  the  delegates  of 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


183 


the  different  charges  in  the  Conference,  hand  in  their  names 
to  the  Secretary.  Every  charge  was  found  to  be  fully 
represented.  The  delegate  from  the  "Free  Methodist 
Church,"  in  Albion,  was  invited  to  a  seat  in  the  Conven- 
tion. 

The  memorial  which  was  read  by  Mr.  Chesbrough  at 
the  opening  of  the  Convention  was  discussed,  and  the  fol- 
lowing finally  substituted : 

"  PEXmON. 

"  To  the  Biahffpi  and  Members  of  the  General  Confererwe  of  the  IS. 

E.  Church,  to  he  held  in  Buffalo,  N.  7..  May  1, 1860. 
"  Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren  : 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  the  bounds  of  the  Genesee  Conference, 
respectfully  represent  to  your  Reverend  body,  that  a  very 
unj)leasant  state  ot  things  prevails  in  the  Church  through- 
out this  Conference.  This  difficulty  has  grown  out  of  the 
judicial  action  of  the  Conference,  Many  honestly  believe 
this  action  to  have  been  wrong  and  oppressive.  We 
therefore,  ask  your  Reverend  body,  to  give  to  the  judicial 
action  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  by  which  six  of  the 
ministers,  to  wit :  B.  T.  Roberts,  J.  xMcCreery,  Jr.,  J.  A. 
Wells,  Wm.  Cooley,  L,  Stiles,  Jr.,  and  C.  D.  Burlingham, 
have  been  expelled  from  the  Conference  and  the  Church, 
a  full  and  careful  investigation,  trusting  you  will  come  to 
such  decision  as  righteousness  demands.  We  also  ask 
your  Reverend  body  so  to  amend  the  judicial  law  of  the 
Church,  as  to  secure  to  the  ministers  and  members  the 
right  of  trial  by  an  impartial  committee." 

A  motion  was  adopted,  authorizing  the  chair  to  appoint 
a  committee  of  five,  to  procure  a  sufficient  number  of 
copies  of  the  memorial  to  be  printed  for  circulation  in  the 
Conference.  W.  J.  Colgrove,  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  S.  C. 
Springer,  Rev.  J.  A.  Wells,  and  Rev.  B.  T,  Roberts,  were 
appointed  such  committee. 


184 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  following  petition  to  the  General  Conference  was 
read  and  adopted : 

"  PETITION. 

"  To  the  Bishops  and  Members  of  the  Oen&ral  Conference  of  the  M. 

E.  Church,  to  he  held  in  Buffalo,  N.  T.,  May  1st,  1860. 
"  Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren : 

"  Inasmuch  as  there  are  noAv  known  to  be,  in  the  Slave 
States,  many  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
w  ho  hold  their  fellow-beings,  and  even  their  brethren  in 
Christ,  as  slaves,  contrary  to  natural  justice  and  the  Gos- 
])el  of  Christ ;  and  whereas,  we  believe  the  "buying,  selling, 
or  holding  of  a  human  being  as  property,  is  a  sin  against 
God,  and  should  in  no  wise  be  tolerated  in  the  Church  of 
Christ :  therefore, 

"We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  charge,  Genesee  Conference, 

would  earnestly  petition  your  Reverend  body  to  place  a 
chapter  in  the  Discipline  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  that  will 
exclude  all  persons  from  the  M.  E.  Church  or  her  coramun 
ion,  who  shall  be  guilty  of  holding,  buying  or  selling,  or 
in  any  way  using  a  human  being  as  a  slave." 

A  motion  was  made  and  adopted,  that  a  committee  of 
five  be  appointed  on  finance.  The  following  gentlemen 
were  appointed :  T.  B.  Catton,  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  S. 
C.  Springer,  C.  H.  Knox,  and  Wilson  Gordon. 

Moved,  that  two  hundred  and  fifty  copies  each,  of  the 
memorial  and  petition,  be  published  and  placed  in  the 
hands  of  the  committee  for  distribution. 

li<'v.  B.  T.  Roberts  said  that  his  opinions  on  slavery 
wel  l'  not  changed.  He  had  always  been  an  anti-slavery 
jiiun  ;  and  the  first  speech  lie  had  ever  made,  was  an  anti- 
slavery  s])eech.  He  was  opposed  to  its  being  in  the  Church ; 
it  had  no  more  riglit  there  than  the  devil  had.  The  rev- 
erend gentleman  said  it  had  been  reported  that  he  had 
reported  that  lie  liad  received  a  letter  from  a  presiding  elder, 


FREE  METHODIST  CHTJBCH. 


185 


Stating  that  he  had  better  drop  the  hobby  of  Holiness, 
and  take  up  the  Slavery  Issue.  He  had  never  received  any 
such  letter. 

The  Genesee  Conference,  in  former  days,  was  thoroughly 
anti-slavery.  It  seems,  by  the  returns  of  the  last  Confer- 
ence, that  there  is  a  change  somewhere.  The  report  on 
slavery  was  permitted  to  get  into  the  hands  of  the  com- 
mittee ;  and  it  seems  they  were  either  afraid  or  ashamed 
to  publish  it  in  their  minutes. 

The  reverend  gentleman  proceeded  at  some  length,  and 
declared  that  if  the  Church  would  only  take  hold  of  the 
matter  in  the  right  way,  and  in  the  right  spirit,  slavery 
would  soon  be  extirpated  from  the  land.  He  declared  his 
determination  to  labor  for  such  a  result  as  long  as  he  should 
live. 

Rev.  J.  McCreery,  and  others,  followed  in  a  similar 
strain,  and  hoped  that  the  Church  would  do  her  duty. 
The  following  resolution  was  then  adopted  : 
"  Resolved,  That  we  are  highly  pleased  with  the  appear- 
ance of  the  Earnest  Christian.  The  articles,  thus  far, 
prove  it  to  be  just  what  is  needed  at  this  time,  when  a 
conforming  and  superficial  Christianity  is  prevailing  every- 
where. We  hail  it  with  delight  among  us ;  and  we 
pledge  ourselves  to  use  our  exertions  to  extend  its  circula- 
tion." 

The  Convention  then  adjourned  until  two  o'clock  P.  M. 
Afternoon  Session. 

The  Convention  re-assembled — Rev.  J.  W.  Reddy  con- 
ducting the  religious  exercises,  which  consisted  of  reading 
the  Scriptures,  singing  and  pi  aying. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Wells  thought,  after  the  last  Conference,  his 
labor  in  the  ministry  was  about  used  up.  But,  after  the 
Albion  Convention,  he  resolved  to  go  at  it.  He  had  met 
with  good  success,  and  had  larger  congregations  than  ever 


186 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


before.  He  bad  no  idea  how  he  was  going  to  get  a  sup- 
port ;  but  he  had  received  a  better  support  than  ever.  He 
thouglit  he  had  done  more  work  for  good,  than  in  a  year 
previous.  This  movement  had  been  sneered  at  by  some, 
who  said  it  would  soon  die  down  ;  but  he  apprehended  dif- 
j'orent.  The  prospect  is  bright,  and  there  is  every  evi- 
dence that  the  Lord  is  with  us. 

The  following  resolution  was  here  offered  : 
"  Resolved,  That  we  reiterate  our  unfaltering  attachment 
to  the  M.  E.  XDhurch  ;  while  we  protest  against,  and  repu. 
diate  its  abuses  and  iniquitous  administration,  by  which 
we  have  been  aggrieved,  and  the  Church  scandalized. — 
Our  controversy  is  in  favor  of  the  doctrines  and  discipline 
of  the  Cliurch,  and  against  temporary  mal-administration. 
And  Ave  exhort  our  brethren  everywhere  not  to  secede,  or 
withdraw  from  tlie  Church,  or  be  persuaded  into  any  other 
ecclesiastical  organization ;  but  to  form  themselves  into 
bands,  after  the  example  of  early  Methodism,  and  remain 
in  the  Church  until  expelled." 

Rev.  J.  McCreery  said :  Four  years  ago,  when  we  com- 
menced this  war,  we  sought  to  bring  back  Methodism  to 
its  pristine  purity,  and  throw  out  these  innovations  which 
had  crept  in.  We  can  spare  all  the  preacliers,  if  the  Lord, 
and  the  people,  will  be  with  us.  \\c  intend  to  stick  to  the 
Church.  We  are  where  we  stood  years  ago,  and  intend 
to  stay  there.  We  must  stand  on  the  Discipline,  which  is 
the  Constitution  of  the  Church.  We  are  not  secessionists, 
and  they  cannot  drive  us  out,  unless  they  expel  us.  We 
propose  to  stay  in  the  Church,  I  am  in  favor  of  that  res- 
olution. 

The  further  consideration  of  the  resolutions  was  post- 
poned until  to-morrow.  The  Committee  on  Resolutions 
reported  as  follows: 

"Preamble. — God  deals  with  us  as  individuals.  No 
man  or  body  of  men  can  take  tlie  responsibility  of  our 


FKEE  METnoDisT  ciiunfir. 


187 


actions.  It  is  a  Bible  doctrine,  very  clearly  taught,  that 
'  every  one  must  give  account  of  himself  to  God.' 

"  Ministers  cannot  take  into  their  hands  the  keeping  of 
our  consciences.  The  right  of  private  judgment  lies  at 
the  foundation  of  the  great  Protestant  Reformation,  It 
forms  the  basis  of  all  true  religion.  No  person  who  does 
not  act  and  think  for  himself,  can  enjoy  either  the  sancti- 
fying or  justifying  grace  of  God.  When  John  Wesley 
was  told  that  he  could  not  continue  in  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, because  he  could  '  not  in  principle  submit  to  her  de- 
terminations,^ he  replied,  '  If  that  were  necessary,  I  could 
not  be  a  member  of  any  Church  under  Heaven ;  for  I  must 
still  insist  upon  the  right  of  i^rivate  judgment.  I  cannot 
yield  either  implicit  faith  or  obedience  to  any  man  or  num- 
ber of  men  under  Heaven? 

"This  is  equally  true  of  every  honest  man.  In  our 
Church,  the  government  is  vested  exclusively  in  the  min- 
istry ;  the  bishops  appointing  the  preachers  to  whatever 
charge  they  please,  and  thus  having  the  power  to  influence 
them  to  a  great  extent,  if  not  to  absolutely  control  them, 
by  the  hope  of  obtaining  preferment,  if  they  are  submis- 
sive, and  the  fear  of  being  placed  in  an  obscure  position, 
if  they  do  not  carry  out  the  will  of  their  superiors.  They 
are  elected  by  the  ministers,  and  are  responsible  alone  to 
the  men  who  are  thus  completely  dependent  upon  them 
for  their  position  in  the  Church.  The  General  Conference, 
possessing  all  the  power  to  make  laws  for  the  Churches,  is 
composed  exclusively  of  ministers,  elected  by  ministers. — 
The  Annual  Conference,  which  says  who  shall  preach  and 
who  shall  not,  is  made  up  of  ministers.  The  book  agents, 
wielding  a  mighty  pecuniary  influence,  are  ministers.  The 
ofiicial  editors,  controlling  the  public  sentiment  of  the 
Church,  are  ministers.  The  same  principle  is  carried  out  in 
the  administration  upon  our  circuits  and  stations.  The 
preacher  sent  on — it  may  be,  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of 


188 


A   HISTORY   Oi'  THE 


a  large  majority  of  the  members — appoints  all  the  leaders, 
nominates  the  stewards,  and  licenses  the  exhorters.  If  he 
wishes  to  expel  a  member,  he  selects  the  committee,  and 
presides  over  the  trial  as  judge.  He  goes  out  with  them, 
and  sees  that  they  make  up  their  verdict  as  he  desires. 

"  The  only  check  to  this  immense  clerical  power — with- 
out a  parallel,  unless  it  is  in  the  Church  of  Rome — con- 
sists in  the  right  of  the  laity  to  refuse  to  support  those 
ministers  who  abuse  their  trust,  and  show  themselves  un- 
worthy of  confidence.  This  only  remedy  in  our  power 
against  clerical  oppression,  we  have  felt  bound  to  apply. 

"  The  course  of  those  members  of  the  Genesee  Confer- 
ence, known  as  the  '  Regency  party,'  in  screening  one  an- 
other when  lying  under  the  imputation  of  gross  and  fla- 
grant immoralities  ;  and  in  expelling  from  the  Conference 
and  the  Churcli  devoted  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  whose 
only  crime  consisted  in  the  ability  and  success  with  which 
they  taught  and  enforced  the  doctrine  of  holiness,  and  the 
fidelity  with  which  they  labored  to  secure  the  exclusion 
of  slaveholders  from  the  Church, — this  course  so  contrary 
to  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  as  honest  men  going  to  judg- 
ment, we  felt  called  upon  to  discountenance.  We  dare 
not  give  these  ministers  God-speed  in  their  bloody  work, 
lest  we  be  partakers  in  their  evil  deeds.  We  accordingly 
voted,  in  our  conventions,  that  we  could  not  sustain  these 
preachers  who  were  putting  down  the  work  of  God. 

"  These  efibrts  of  ours  to  correct  great  evils  have  been 
met  by  persecutions  worthy  of  the  priests  of  Rome  in  her 
darkest  days.  Men  of  approved  piety  of  long  standing, 
whose  prayers  and  efibrts  and  money  have  been  freely 
given  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  Church,  have  been 
expelled  from  the  communion  of  their  choice  for  having 
dared  to  act  according  to  their  convictions.  Therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  we  heartily  endorse  the  sentiments 
contained  in  the  Preambles  and  Resolutions  passed  at  the 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


189 


Albion  Conyentions,  (December,  1858,  and  November, 
1859.)  The  position  then  taken,  we  this  day  unhesitating- 
ly aflfirm,  in  our  estimation,  to  be  right.  Convinced  more 
than  ever,  that  we  need  to  act  as  one  body  in  tkis  matter, 
we  hereby  pledge  ourselves  unflinchingly  and  uncomprom- 
isingly to  stand  by  the  principles  then  laid  down ;  and  to 
sustain,  by  our  sympathy  and  our  aid,  our  brethren  in  the 
ministry  who  have  been  the  subjects  of  a  heartless  and 
wicked  proscription, 

"  Hesolved,  That  we  heartily  condemn  the  practice  pur- 
sued by  many  of  the  Regency  preachers,  in  reading  out 
members  as  withdrawn  from  the  Church,  without  even  the 
form  of  a  trial,  or  without  even  laboring  with  them.  We 
deem  it  an  act  of  outrage  upon  our  rights  as  members  of 
the  Church,  contrary  to  the  discipline,  and  in  direct  oppo- 
sition to  the  spirit  of  Christ.  We  truly  extend  to  our 
brethren  and  sisters  who  have  thus  been  illegally  read  out 
from  our  beloved  Zion,  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  We 
rejoice  that  the  'Lamb's  Book  of  Life  '  is  beyond  the  reach 
of  human  hands.  And  while  they  continue  faithful  fol- 
lowers of  Jesus,  whether  in  or  out  of  the  Church,  we  hail 
them  as  members  of  the  body  of  Christ." 

The  preamble  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Rev.  J.  McCreery  said  he  was  in  favor  of  the  resolutions 
as  he  wanted  some  one  to  stand  by  him  in  this  warfare  of 
the  Lord. 

Bro.  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough  was  in  favor  of  the  resolutions, 
as  they  were  of  the  right  stamp ;  he  hoped  they  would  be 
adopted,  and  all  go  home,  and  carry  them  into  practice. — 
Let  us  go  into  the  work,  body  and  soul  and  all.  I  will 
lose  the  last  drop  of  my  blood,  before  I  will  lose  my  prin- 
ciples. We  read  of  three  Hebrew  children  who  went  into 
the  fiery  furnace ;  the  only  efiect  it  had  upon  them  was  to 
burn  ofi"  their  bands.  I  am  ready  for  the  same  trial,  if 
necessary. 


190 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Bro.  T.  B.  Catton  said  it  was  vastly  different  to  come 
here  and  resolve,  and  then  go  home  and  act.  We,  in  Perry, 
have  organized  a  band,  and  intend  to  have  our  own  preach- 
er and  preaching.  I,  for  one,  intend  to  carry  this  resolu- 
tion into  eifect. 

Bro.  Wra.  Hart  said :  I  have  always  looked  upon  this 
movement,  not  altogether  in  sympathy  with  these  men 
who  have  been  expelled,  but  as  a  movement  for  vital  god- 
liness. We  are  coming  to  that  time,  when  he  who  is  not 
for  us  is  against  us.  If  1  did  not  think  God  was  with  this 
movement,  I  would  not  be  here.  If  God  has  called  these 
men  to  preach,  he  lias  not  revoked  that  call.  These  min- 
isters in  the  Conference,  who  will  not  associate  with  tliese 
men,  are  creating  a  schism  in  the  Church.  Let  our  pock- 
ets and  our  sympathies  be  with  these  men.  I  am  in  favor 
of  the  resolutions. 

Bro.  Elmer  followed  in  similar  remarks,  and  declared 
his  intention  not  to  support  a  Regency  preacher.  He 
w.ould  stand  by  the  resolutions  to  the  last. 

Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  said :  Is  it  a  duty  for  us  to  support 
any  minister,  who  is  sent  to  us  ?  The  Bible  settles  that 
question,  in  the  negative.  The  laity  have  no  representa- 
tion ;  and  we,  as  ministers,  to  do  good,  must  have  the  co- 
operation of  the  laity.  The  preachers  control  all  affairs, 
from  beginning  to  end. 

The  reverend  gentleman  here  read  from  the  "  Church 
Polity,"  by  the  Rev.  Abel  Stevens,  which  defended  his 
position  that  a  Church  were  not  obliged  to  support  any 
minister  whom  they  did  not  like.  At  the  last  Conference, 
ministers  were  retained  in  the  Conference,  wlien  it  was 
known  that  reports  were  in  circulation  very  damaging  to 
them;  and  those  who  were  instrumental  in  promulgating 
those  charges  Avere  expelled.  Some  of  them  had  communed 
with  Universalists,  and  then  voted  to  expel  Bro.  Well.s  and 
Bro.  Stiles,  for  allowing  me  to  exhort  in  their  pulpits. 


FREE  METHODIST  CUt'KCti. 


191 


The  very  best  men,  distinguished  for  godliness  and  pie- 
ty, are  expelled  from  the  Clnireh.  The  time  has  now  come 
for  us  to  act.  It  is  enough  to  make  an  infant's  sinews 
strong  as  steel.  The  very  men  they  have  expelled  are 
always  found  by  the  side  of  the  rugged  cross  of  Christ. — ■ 
The  reverend  gentleman  here  paid  a  high  tribute  to  the 
piety  and  godliness  of  those  who  had  been  expelled — one 
of  them  a  class-leader  of  thirty-five  years'  standing.  He 
also  read  letters  from  individuals  in  the  diflerent  States, 
urging  on  the  movement.  The  reverend  gentleman  con- 
cluded his  remarks  by  a  stirring  exhortation  to  the  lay- 
men to  continue  on  in  the  work,  and  labor  with  increased 
zeal  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  His  peroration  was  truly 
eloquent. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Reddy  said  :  There  was  one  point  which  we 
Avere  apt  to  overlook;  whicli  is,  that  we  do  not  fight  men, 
but  principles.  If  our  brethren  would  get  this  sympathy 
for  men  out  of  their  heads,  we  would  be  better  off.  Let 
them  recollect,  it  is  for  God  and  salvation  that  we  labor. 
If  we  know  that  God  is  on  our  side,  let  us  go  on,  regard- 
less of  the  consequences.  The  Spirit  of  God,  and  policy, 
are  at  antipodes  with  eacli  other.  "We  will  never  suffer 
for  what  God  asks  us  to  do.  He  believed  that  he  was 
right,  and  that  God  was  with  him.  The  reverend  gentle- 
man concluded  his  remarks  with  an  exhortation  to  the 
laymen  to  stand  firm,  and  do  their  duty. 

The  resolutions  were  then  adoj^ted  unaniraoiisly. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned  until  nine  o'clock  to- 
morrow morning. 

Second  Day^s  Proceedings. 

Convention  re-assembled — Bro.  Wm.  Hart  conducting 
the  religious  exercises. 

Moved  and  adopted,  that  the  members  be  restricted,  in 
their  speeches,  to  five  minutes. 


192 


A    HISTORY  OF  THE 


Moved  and  adopted,  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed 
— one  from  each  district — to  circulate  petition  and  me- 
morial. The  following  were  appointed  as  such  committee : 
Rev.  J.  W.  Reddy,  Olean  ;  Bro.  T.  B.  Catton,  Wyoming  ; 
Bro.  C.  H.  Knox,  Genesee ;  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  Bufialo ; 
Bro.  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough,  Niagara. 

Moved  and  adopted,  that  I.  M.  Chesbrough,  of  South 
Pekin,  be  a  committee  of  one  to  present  the  petition  and 
memorial  to  the  General  Conference. 

The  resolution  yesterday  oflfered  by  Bro.  Wm.  Hart,  and 
laid  upon  the  table,  was  called  up. 

Bro.  T.  B.  Catton  said,  we  could  organize  bands,  and 
still  be  in  the  Church,  as  it  was  in  the  discipline.  He  was 
opposed  to  secession  always.  We  have  organized  bands 
in  Wyoming,  and  have  met  with  good  success,  for  the 
Lord  has  been  with  us. 

Bro.  Wm.  Hart  contended  that  the  constitution  of  the 
Church  discountenanced  slavery.  He  argued  that  the  dis- 
cipline granted  every  member  a  fair  trial.  But  all  those 
who  had  been  expelled,  had  been  denied  that  privilege. — 
We  have  no  need  to  secede,  but  keep  right  on  for  God,  and 
not  be  persuaded  into  any  other  ecclesiastical  organiza- 
tion. Four  were  read  out  in  my  district  on  mere  suspi- 
cion.   He  was  in  favor  of  the  resolution. 

Bro.  Rumble  believed  those  who  were  called  Nazarites, 
were  holy  men,  and  that  God  was  with  them ;  for  his  part, 
he  was  with  them.  He  rather  doubted  the  idea  of  organ- 
izing bands  ;  but  if  it  was  considered  the  best  course,  let 
us  do  it. 

Bro.  Colgrove  wanted  a  holy  ministry,  and  none  other; 
and  declared  his  intention  to  stand  by  the  Church  ;  and 
spurned  the  idea  of  doing  anything  to  militate  against  the 
Church,  He  was  strongly  in  favor  of  bands.  If  mal-ad- 
ministration  expels  me  from  the  Church,  I  will  stand  by 
Methodism. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


193 


I  Rev,  B.  T.  Roberts  contended  that  these  bands  were  no 
new  thing,  but  were  being  organized  all  OTer  the  country, 
and  in  Europe,  for  the  saWation  of  souls ;  and  said  that 
Orville  Gardner  was  the  leader  of  one  in  New  York.  He 
hoped  these  bands  would  be  organized  everywhere.  If 
the  ministers  would  help  you,  all  right ;  if  not,  go  right 
on  without  them. 

Bro.  S.  K.  J.  Chesbrough  said,  that  their  bands,  in  his 
place,  had  been  very  prosperous,  and  many  had  been  con- 
verted.   He  gave  a  history  of  their  organization,  which 

!  started  with  only  ten,  and  now  has  about  thirty.  He  was 
strongly  in  favor  of  bands,  and  urged  his  brethren  to  do 
likewise. 

Rev.  J.  McCreery  did  not  want  to  follow  the  plan  of 
I     bands  like  Orville  Gardner,  but  such  as  were  contained  in 
'     the  Methodist  Discipline.    The  resolution  defines  itself 
The  members  of  his  band  in  his  district  had  not  been 
turned  out  as  yet,  and  they  won't  dare  to  do  it. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Reddy  said,  that  the  Regency  preachers 
held  the  opinion  that  these  bands  were  unconstitutional ; 
but  he  denied  it,  and  urged  that  they  had  as  good  a  right 
to  do  so,  as  they  had  to  join  the  Odd  Fellows  or  Masons. 
He  believed  in  standing  by  the  Church,  but  contended  for 
the  right  of  religious  liberty.  He  hoped  his  brethren 
'     would  go  at  it  with  energy,  and  organize  these  bands. 

After  some  further  remarks,  the  resolution  was  unani- 
mously adopted. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  S.  K.  J.  Ches- 
I     brough : 

Whereas,  The  wants  of  the  cause  of  God  demand  the 
holding  of  Camp-meetings,  General  Quarterly  meetings, 
and  other  general  gatherings  of  our  people,  in  the  several 
districts,  demanding  judicious  and  general  counsel  and 
co-operation,  in  appointing  and  conducting  the  same; 
therefore, 
9 


194 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"  Resolved,  That  the  followhig  laymen  and  local  preach- 
ers, together  with  the  traveling  preachers  appointed  by 
this  Convention,  be  an  execntive  conncil  in  each  district 
respectively,  to  appoint  and  superintend  all  Camp  meetings, 
General  Quarterly  meetings,  and  such  other  general  meet- 
ings as  they  may  judge  proper;  and  in  the  interim  of  the 
sessions  of  this  Convention,  to  take  the  general  oversight 
of  the  work  within  the  bounds  r.  their  respective  dis- 
tricts." 

Rev.  J.  McCreery,  in  a  few  remarks,  strongly  advocated 
the  adoption  of  the  resolutio  ,  which  was  done.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  appointments : 

Genesee  District.— Pr«ac/jm  .•  Alonzo  Reddy,  Claudius  Brain- 
ard,  A.  B.  Castle.    Laymen  :  J.  R.  Anuis,  G.  W.  Estes,  Jno.  Prue. 

Niagara  District.— P;-mfZi«rs  .•  John  CaDnon,  Russel  Wilcox, 
John  Fuller.    Laymen  :  W.  H.  Doyle,  A.  Ames. 

Olean  District.— Pm;f/<ers  .•  Titns  Roberts,  G.  W.  Fuller,  Ich- 
abod  White.    Laymen  :  S.  C.  Springer,  G.  C.  Sheldon.  John  Huff. 

Wyoming  District. — Preachers  :  Geo.  W.  Coleman,  A.  H.  Green, 
E.  W.  Sears.    Laymen  :  T.  B.  Catton,  J.  Chester,  W.  Holmes. 

Buffalo  District. — Preachers :  A.  W.  Perry,  Sidney  Aldricb, 
Mitchell  Osborn.  Laymen  :  Thos.  Sully,  Henry  Hartshorn,  Clark 
Reynolds. 

The  following  resolution,  introduced  by  S.  K.  J.  Ches- 
brough,  was  unanimously  adopted  by  a  rising  vote : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  look  with  lively  interest  on  the  de- 
nominational position  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church  of 
Albion,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  L.  Stiles,  Jr.;  that 
we  rejoice  in  her  prosperity ;  that  we  hail  her  as  a  wel- 
come co-laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  our  common  Master, 
and  as  a  worthy  member  in  the  sisterhood  of  Evangelical 
Churches." 

Rev.  Loren  Stiles,  Jr.,  as  pastor  of  the  Church,  thanked 
the  Convention  for  the  compliment,  and  could  assure  them 
that  it  was  duly  appreciated.  He  said  that  the  Free  Meth- 
odist Church  was  in  sympathy  with  them.  .He  urged  hin 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


195 


brethren  to  stay  in  the  Church,  and  if  they  left,  let  it  be 
by  compulsion  on  the  part  of  the  opposite  party.  The 
Vfork  of  God  Avhich  you  here  represent  is  going  on  glori- 
ously, all  over. 

He  gave  a  short  history  of  the  formation  of  the  Free 
Methodist  Church  in  Albion,  and  told  his  hearers  never  to 
form  one,  unless  they  were  compelled  to  do  so.  He  con- 
tended it  was  not  an' issue  between  the  Free  Methodist 
Church  and  the  MethouiSt  Episcopal  Church,  but  an  issue 
between  God  and  the  devil.  His  remarks  were  well  re- 
ceived. 

A  resolution  endorsing  the  course  of  the  Northern  In- 
dependent, was  unanimously  adopted  by  arising  vote. 

The  following  resolution,  offered  by  Bro.  S.  K.  J.  Ches- 
brough,  was  adopted  unanimously  : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  trustees  and  members 
of  this  Church,  our  thanks  for  the  use  of  their  house  for 
our  meeting.  The  Christian  courtesy  manifested  by  them, 
contrasted  with  the  proscriptive  course  pursued  by  the 
presiding  elder,  pastor,  and  some  of  the  Church  trustees 
of  tlie  Methodist  Church,  in  closing,  by  legal  process,  their 
house  against  us,  will  always  be  appreciated  by  us." 

A  motion  Avas  made  that  Rev.  Loren  Stiles,  Jr.,  be  re- 
quested to  preach  in  the  evening,  which  was  adopted. 

Moved  that  tlie  proceedings  of  this  Convention  be  pub- 
lished in  the  Northern  Independent.  Adopted. 

After  some  remarks  from  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  and  oth- 
ers, the  Convention,  at  twelve  o'clock,  M.,  adjourned  sine 
die. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


The  Free  Methodist  Church  proper,  down  to  this  time, 
had  existed  in  a  state  of  embryo  only ;  the  period  having 
not  yet  arrived  when  it  was  to  become  developed  into  that 
outward,  independent  form  which  it  afterwards  assumed. 
Our  history  of  the  denomination  thus  far,  therefore  could 
only  take  on  a  preliminary  character.  But  enough  has 
been  said  to  make  us  acquainted  with  their  peculiar  anhnus, 
and  the  one  great  object  at  which  they  aim.  We  have 
already  seen  that  they  are  Methodists — that  they  are 
Methodists  of  the  true,  Wesleyan  stamp  ;  "  following  the 
Lord  wholly  " — their  only  aim  being  to  "  spread  Scripture 
holiness  over  the  land,"  and  "  work  out  their  own  salva- 
tion with  fear  and  trembling."  These  brethren  had  no 
preconcerted  plan  for  the  future,  otherwise  than  to  do  the 
will  of  God,  as  far  as  made  known  to  them,  and  go  for- 
ward in  the  use  of  the  appointed  means  of  grace.  As 
"Abraham,  being  called  to  go  out  into  a  country  which 
he  should  afterwards  inherit,  obeyed  and  went  out,  not 
knowing  whither  he  went,"  so  they  were  ready  to  go  out 
into  any  field  of  labor,  or  undertake  any  expedition  or  en- 
terprise, to  which  they  might  be  called  in  the  Providence 
of  God. 

The  thought  of  leaving  the  Church  never  entered  their 
hearts.  Much  less,  if  possible,  did  they  seek  to  divide  it. 
They  generally  mourned  over  its  departure  from  "  the  old 
land-marks  "  of  pure,  primitive  Methodism  ;  and  were  anx- 
ious to  bring  it  back  to  its  own  acknowledged  standards 
of  faith  and  practical  godliness  ;  and  it  grieved  them  that 
196 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


197 


their  efforts  in  this  direction  should  be  baffled  by  a  deter- 
mined, persecuting  opposition;  and  yet  they  loved  the 
Church. 

But,  trampled  under  foot  and  despised  as  these  brethren 
were,  they  constituted  an  element  of  vital  godliness — an 
element  of  strength  and  hope  in  the  old  Church  ;  a  conser- 
vative, reformatory  element  of  great  promise  ;  and  had 
she  retained  them  within  her  pale,  as  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land retained  the  Wesleyan  societies,  she  might,  in  the 
same  way,  have  been  benefited  by  the  connection.  But, 
less  tolerant,  alas !  of  the  life  of  religion  than  even  that 
oold,  formal,  pleasure-taking,  semi-papal  hierarchy,  she 
cast  them  out  of  her  communion,  and  brought  herself  to 
the  very  brink  of  ruin  as  the  consequence ! 

Never  was  there  a  class  of  individuals  more  attached 
to  the  M.  E.  Church  than  these  so-called  Nazarites.  They 
clung  to  her  institutions  and  altars  vdth  all  that  filial  af- 
fection which  a  child  feels  for  its  mother,  and  nothing 
seemed  capable  of  alienating  them  from  the  Old  Church. 
Long  as  they  had  suffered,  and  much  as  they  had  been 
abused  on  account  of  their  devotion  to  the  Church's  true 
interests,  they  were,  nevertheless,  intent  upon  remaining 
in  her  bosom,  cold  as  it  was,  and  doing  her  all  the  good  in 
their  power. 

Those  Lay  Conventions,  whose  proceedings  are  narrated 
in  the  preceding  chai)ter,  were  convened  at  no  little  expense 
of  time  and  labor — not  to  create  "  a  schism  in  the  body," 
nor  yet  to  consult  upon  measures  of  secession  ;  but  solely 
to  see  what  could  be  done,  if  anything,  for  the  ameliora- 
tion of  the  condition  of  a  Church  so  dear  to  them ;  and  to 
extend  their  sympathy  to  those  brethren  she  had  so  bar- 
barously cast  off,  in  such  practical  form  as  might  encour- 
age them  to  "  hold  fast  whereunto  they  had  attained,"  as 
the  friends  of  Jesus,  and  to  go  forward  in  the  work  to 
which  they  had  been  called,  of  promoting  the  cause  of 


198 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


holiness,  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  These  lay  brethren 
repeatedly  declared,  during  their  deliberations,  that  they 
had  no  intention  or  wish  to  leave  the  Old  Church;  and  if 
ever  their  connection  with  her  should  become  dissolved, 
she,  and  not  they,  must  bear  the  responsibility.  And  even 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Stiles,  though  he  had  been  expelled  from  the 
M.  E.  Church,  and  was  actually  settled  over  an  independ- 
ent congregation  at  the  time,  "  advised  them  not  to  se- 
cede." 

Long  did  these  proscribed  brethren  cherish  the  hope 
that  the  Church  which  had  so  wickedly  expelled  them 
would  come  to  see  the  error  of  her  persecuting  career,  at 
least  in  the  light  of  consequences,  and  change  her  course.  This 
was  evidently  the  ground  of  the  advice  of  Mr.  Stiles.  And 
it  was  this  hope,  so  fondly  entertained  down  to  the  sitting 
of  the  General  Conference  of  1860,  which  led  to  the  send- 
ing up  a  petition  to  that  body,  very  numerously  signed 
by  the  people,  asking  for  an  investigation  of  the  Genesee 
Conference  difficulties  ;  and  a  memorial,  signed  by  several 
of  the  preachers,  containing  specific  complaints  against  a 
majority  of  the  Genesee  Conference  for  their  action  as  a 
body,  and  "  asking  the  restoration  of  Bro.  Roberts  and 
others  who  had  been  unjustly  expelled,  to  their  former 
standing  in  the  ministry  ;  and  the  providing  of  requisite 
safe-guards  against  any  and  all  such  abuses  in  the  future." 
The  memorial  hei  e  referred  to,  though  of  considerable 
length,  and  somewhat  minute  in  detail,  yet,  from  its  in- 
trinsic merits,  and  great  relative  importance  in  this  con- 
nection, will  now  be  introduced. 

To  the  General  Conference  of  tfie  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  ses- 
sion at  Buffalo,  May,  1860. 

Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren: 

Your  raemoralists  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to 
the  difficulties  that  distract  our  Zion  within  the  bounds  of 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


199 


the  Genesee  Conference.  These  difficulties  are  of  long 
standing,  and  of  such  importance  as  to  demand  your  serious 
attention,  and  tlie  application  of  such  remedies  as  you,  in 
your  wisdom,  may  devise.  They  do  not  primarily  grow 
out  of  the  slavery  question,  or  the  old  and  new  paper  is- 
sue— though  these  have  come  to  be  somewhat  involved  in 
the  controversy.  They  have  their  origin,  as  we  believe, 
in  a  difference  of  views  among  us  about  experimental  re- 
ligion. It  is  a  revival  of  the  old  controversy  between 
the  life  and  power  of  godliness,  and  a  respectable  formal- 
ism, depending  for  its  success  upon  the  skillful  management 
of  a  worldly  i^olicy. 

Tlie  immediate  cause  of  our  difficulties  is  found,  on  the 
one  liund,  in  the  powerful  revival  of  the  work  of  holiness, 
which  God  has  been  pleased,  for  a  few  years  jiast,  to  carry 
on  within  our  bounds.  This  work  has  been  attended,  to 
some  extent,  with  those  physical  manifestations  which 
have  so  often  been  found  in  the  history  of  the  Church, 
where  God  has  carried  on  his  work  in  power.  These  fea- 
tures, objectionable  to  some,  have  by  no  means  come  up 
to  what  was  known  among  the  early  Methodists  ;  but  they 
have  been  sufficient  to  create  a  prejudice,  when  presented 
in  an  exaggerated  or  distorted  light. 

On  the  other  hand,  members  of  the  Conference  who 
looked  upon  this  work  as  fanatical,  would  naturally  affili- 
ate in  their  opposition  to  it,  and  in  their  endeavors  to  pre- 
vent its  spread,  and  to  crush  it  out  of  the  Church  where 
it  had  already  gained  a  lodgment.  So  here  at  once  was  a 
development  of  two  parties. 

For  proof  upon  the  origin  of  our  difficulties,  we  beg 
leave  to  refer  you  to  Rev.  E.  Thomas,  of  your  body  ;  to 
the  Rev's  Asa  Abell,  John  P.  Kent,  Amos  Hard,  and  C. 
D.  Burlingham.  See  also  Protest  to  the  Pastoral  Address, 
signed  L.  Stiles,  Jr. 

We  complain  of  the  majority  of  the  Genesee  Annual 


200 


A  HISTORY    OF    J  HE 


Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  in  respect  to  the  follow- 
ing particulars : 

I. — For  adopting  a  Pastoral  Address  in  which  are,  aa 
we  conceive,  doctrines  unmethodistic  and  anti-scriptural. 

1.  In  relation  to  the  standard  of  faith  and  practice. — 
Our  Discipline  says,  page  30,  that  God's  word  "  is  the  only- 
rule,  and  the  sufficient  rule,  both  of  our  faith  and  practice." 
But  they  say,  in  the  Pastoral  Address  adopted  by  them 
October  20th,  1858,  page  1th,  of  the  "  law  of  our  natures," 
that  "inasmuch  as  God  is  no  less  the  author  of  our  nature 
and  its  laws,  than  of  the  Bible  and  the  law  of  the  Bible,  it 
is  entitled  to  be  regarded  as  of  collateral  authority  on  this 
question."  "  This  question  "  is  one  relating  to  spiritual 
manifestations. 

2.  In  relation  to  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  In 
our  communion  service,  we  pray  that  God  would  "  cleanse 
the  thoughts  of  our  hearts  by  the  inspiration  of  his  Holy 
Spirity  In  our  hymns,  we  often  pray  for  His  guidance ; 
as  in  No.  367  : 

"  By  the  teachings  of  thy  Spirit, 
Chiide  us  into  perfect  peace." 

No.  695  : 

"  0  !  may  thy  Spirit  guide 
My  feet  iu  ways  of  righteousness." 

But  the  majority  of  the  Genesee  Conference  say  (Pas- 
toral Address,  page  9) :  "  What  we  mean  by  Fanaticism, 
is:  1.  The  supposition  of  being  under  the  immediate 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  matters  of  duty,  and  par- 
ticularly as  to  conduct  in  seasons  of  worship." 

That  the  Holy  Spirit  does  guide  us  indirectly,  through 
the  Word,  we  admit ;  but  we  have  always  understood  it  to 
be  a  doctrine  of  Methodism,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  does  al- 
so vouchsafe  immediate  guidance  to  those  who,  deeply 
feeling  its  necessity,  devoutly  seek  it  by  importunate 
prayer.    Notice,  they  do  not  say  that  fanaticism  is  the 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


201 


fahe  supposition ;  but  the  bare  "  supposition,"  under  any 
and  all  circumstances,  of  being  under  the  "immediate 
"guidance  of  the  Holj^  Spirit  in  matters  of  duty,"  is  "  fa- 
naticism." In  opposition  to  this,  the  Bible  says,  most 
em])hatically,  "  As  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
they  are  tlie  sons  of  God." 

3.  In  relation  to  the  doctrine  of  Holiness.  They  hold 
that  it  is  simply  a  growth  in  grace — a  maturity  of  virtues, 
acquired  by  pious  habits,  rather  than  a  distinct  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  In  proof  of  this,  we  refer  to  this  fact: 
When  the  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  was  arraigned,  at  the  ses- 
sion of  the  Genesee  Conference  held  at  Le  Roy,  in  the  fall 
of  1857,  for  writing  an  article  entitled  ••  X.-w-Scliool  Meth- 
odism," in  which  he  said,  ""Wlii-n  they  speak  of  '  liolinesss,' 
they  mean  by  it  the  same  as  do  evangelical  ministers  of 
other  denominations,  which  do  not  leceive  the  doctrines 
taught  by  Wesley  and  Fletcher  on  this  subject,"  he  offered, 
publicly,  on  the  f^oor  of  the  Conference,  to  publish  in  the 
papers  a  correction  of  his  statements,  if  anj'  one  would 
say  he  had  been  misrepresented.  No  one  alleged  that  he 
had  been  misrepresented.  If  ever  silence  means  consent, 
it  does  under  these  circumstances. 

4.  In  some  of  them  fraternizing  with  Uuiversalists  and 
Unitarians. 

At  the  session  of  the  Conference  held  at  Perry,  in  the 
fall  of  185€,  preachers  were  appointed  to  officiate  at  the 
the  Universalist  Church,  the  same  as  at  evangelical  church- 
es. Last  summer,  one  of  the  preachers  belonging  to  the 
majority  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  went  to  a  Universal- 
ist Church  and  partook  of  the  Communion,  administered 
by  a  Universalist  pastor,  with  these  Univcrsalists  ;  and 
thus  affiliated,  in  the  most  intimate  act  of  Cliristian  and 
Church  fellowship,  M'ith  those  who  deny  the  necessity  of 
regeneration  here  in  order  for  final  salvation.  For  proof, 
see  affidavits  of  D.  H.  Olney  and  Benjanun  Baldwin.  Thiis 
9* 


202  A  HISi'iOKV  OF  THK 

fact,  though  known  to  members  of  the  Conference,  called 
forth  no  expression  of  disapprobation.  For  proof  on  this 
point,  we  refer  you  to  Rev.  A.  Kendall. 

Last  summer,  the  Niagara  St,  M.  E.  Church,  in  this  city, 
took  up  their  Sunday  afteraoon  appointments  and  gave 
the  use  of  their  house  to  the  Unitarians.  After  the  an- 
nouncement, the  first  week  of  the  present  session  of  the 
General  Conference,  that  the  Universalist  and  Unitarian 
pulpits  would  be  supplied  by  delegates,  the  committee, 
composed  of  leading  men  of  the  majority  of  Genesee  Con 
ference,  were  requested  to  send  a  preacher  to  the  Congre- 
gational Methodist  Church  in  Albion,  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Rev.  L.  Stiles — a  Church  whose  orthodoxy  of 
faith  is  beyond  question — and  the  reply  was,  "  that  it 
would  not  be  consistent  for  us  to  do  so,  as  he  is  opposed 
to  us."  When  asked,  "  If  it  would  not  be  as  consistent  as 
it  is  to  appoint  a  preacher  for  the  Universalists  ?  "  the  re- 
ply was,  "  We  think  not."  For  proof  on  this  point,  we 
refer  you  to  the  Rev.  Adam  Poe. 

11. — We  complain  of  them  for  making  new  tei-ms  of 
membership,  both  in  the  Church  and  in  the  Conference. 

1.  It  is  a  principle  laid  down  by  all  our  writers  on  Church 
polity,  that  the  people  have  a  check  upon  the  ministers,  in 
their  power  to  withhold  supplies.  See  "  Essay  on  Church 
Polity,"  by  Rev.  Abel  Stevens,  LL.  D. ;  Dr.  Bond's  "  Econ- 
omy of  Methodism  ;  "  and  Rev,  A.  N.  Fillmore's  "  Eccle- 
siastical Polity." 

In  opposition  to  these  views  of  our  standard  writers, 
they  instruct  their  preachers  to  "  let  them  know  "  who 
"through  mistaken  consciences,"  do  not  pay  the  preacher, 
whatever  his  conduct  may  have  been,  that  "  they  have  no 
more  place  among  us."  .See  Pastoral  Address,  page  12. 
In  accordance  with  this  direction,  some  of  the  oldest  and 
most  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Western  New  York,  have  been  expelled,  for  the  sole 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUECH. 


203 


reason  that  they  could  not,  in  conscience,  give  their  money 
to  support  ministers  who,  as  they  believed,  were  pursuing 
an  anti-Methodistic  and  unchristian  course. 

Thus,  Rev.  Claudius  Brainard,  of  Chili,  over  forty  years 
an  ordained  local  elder  of  the  M.  E.  Church — a  quiet,  in- 
offensive, conscientious  man,  of  deep  piety  and  good  repute 
— was  expelled  for  the  above  reason.  The  only  complaint 
alleged  against  him  was  his  participating  in  the  action  of 
the  Laymen's  Convention,  held  at  Albion,  December  1st 
and  2d,  1858. 

Thomas  Hannah,  of  the  same  place,  who  had  recently 
paid  for  the  erection  of  a  new  M.  E.  Church  edifice  some 
eight  hundred  dollars,  was  expelled  for  the  same  cause. 

Jonathan  Ilaudly,  of  Perry — than  whom  no  man  can 
be  found  enjoying  more  fully  the  confidence  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  has  lived  since  a  child ;  one  who  has 
filled  with  acceptability  the  office  of  class-leader  for  over 
thirty  years — was  expelled  on  the  same  ground. 

James  H.  Brooks,  of  Olean — a  man  of  sterling  integri- 
ty, and  of  high  standing  in  the  community,  where  he  has 
resided  since  boyhood ;  against  whose  character  not  a 
breath  of  suspicion  has  ever  rested  ;  to  whose  family,  un- 
der God,  Methodism  is  largely  indebted  for  its  prosperity 
in  that  region — was,  on  the  same  ground  in  reality,  ex- 
pelled from  the  Chiirch  of  which,  since  youth,  he  has  been 
a  worthy  member.  (See  Olean  Advertiser  of  Feb'y  9th, 
1860,  article  headed,  "  Expulsion  of  James  II.  Brooks  from 
the  Methodist  Church.) 

Many  other  instances  of  the  same  kind  might  be  ad- 
duced. 

2.  At  the  last  session,  held  at  Brockport,  October,  1859, 
the  Genesee  Conference  passed  certain  test  resolutions  ; 
and  the  characters  of  those  preachers  who  would  promise 
to  be  governed  by  them  were  passed,  while  preachers  who 
could  not  subscribe  to  them  were  expelled.    For  the  reso- 


204 


A  HISTOEY  OF  THE 


lutions,  see  Minutes,  page  12.  For  proof,  see  statements 
of  Rev.  Wm.  Cooley. 

III.  —  We  complain  of  the  leadiny  nie7i  of  the  majority^ 
for  combining  together  nottotakexoork  unless  liens,  3fessrs. 
Stiles  and  Kingsley  were  removed  from  the  cabinet.  Their 
object  seems  to  have  been,  to  get  none  appointed  to  the 
important  oflSce  of  Presiding  Elder  whose  influence 
they  could  not  command  in  furtherance  of  their  worldly 
schemes. 

Messrs.  Stiles  and  Kingsley  were  popular  and  useful  in 
their  districts.  For  proof,  see  testimony  of  JNIessrs.  San- 
ford  Hunt,  Wm.  Barrett,  and  J.  M.  Fuller,  taken  on  the 
trial  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  at  the  Conference  of  1858. — 
Mr.  Barrett  says  :  "  I  saw  at  the  Medina  Conference  a  pe- 
tition, asking  for  the  removal  of  Bro.  Stiles  and  Kingsley 
from  the  office  of  Presiding  Elder.  I  cannot  state  the 
wording  of  the  petition,  but  understood  it  to  be  this, '  that 
we  would  refuse  to  take  work  if  Bros.  Stiles  and  Kingsley 
were  continued  in  the  Presiding  Elder's  office.'"  Rev.  J. 
M.  Fuller  testified  that  "  he  stated  at  the  Medina  Confer- 
ence that  he  would  not  take  work  under  either  Bro.  Stiles 
or  Kingsley  ; "  and  also,  "  that  he  heard  others  say  what 
would  amount  to  about  the  same."  Rev.  Sanford  Hunt 
testifies  that  "  he  thinks  there  were  over  thirty  names  on 
that  petition."  See  Defense  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts.  Also, 
call  on  Rev.  S.  C.  Church. 

IV.  — We  complain  of  thera  for  holding  secret  meetings, 
in  which  matters  pertaining  to  the  Conference,  and  affect- 
ing the  individual  character  of  preachers,  are  virtually  de- 
cided before  they  are  presented  to  the  Conference. 

In  proof  of  this,  we  refer  you:  1.  To  the  minutes  of 
one  of  their  seciet  meetings,  kept  by  their  own  Secretary. 
Tliese  minutes  were  read  on  the  trial  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Rob- 
erts, at  Perry,  in  open  Conference,  and  their  genuineness 
was  never  called  in  question.    They  read  as  follows  : 


PKER  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


205 


Lk  Roy,  September  ?n],  1857. 

''Meeting  convened  according  to  iidjouninicnt — Bro, 
Parsons  in  the  chair.    Prayer  by  Bro.  Fuller. 

"  Brethren  present  pledged  themselves,  by  rising,  to 
keep  to  themselves  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting. 

"  Moved,  that  we  will  not  allow  the  character  of  Rev. 

B.  T.  Roberts  to  pass,  until  he  has  had  a  fair  trial.  Passed. 
"  Moved,  that  we  will  not  pass  the  character  of  Rev. 

W.  C.  Kendall,  until  he  has  had  a  fair  trial.  Passed. 

"  Moved,  that  Bro.  Carlton  be  added  to  the  committee 
on  Bro.  Kendall's  case.  Passed." 

We  refer  you:  2.  To  the  testimony  given  by  Revs.  W. 

C.  Willing,  DeForest  Parsons,  and  Thomas  Carlton,  on 
the  trial  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  at  the  Perry  Conference, 
found  in  the  Conference  Journal  for  1858;  also,  on  the 
19th,  20th,  and  21st  pages  of  "Defence."  In  this  testi- 
mony, Mr.  Parsons  says  :  "  I  think  the  brethren  pledged 
themselves,  by  a  rising  vote,  to  keep  to  themselves  the 
proceedings  of  the  meeting."  Mr.  Carlton  says  :  "  I  at- 
tended three  of  the  meetings  at  the  house  of  John  Ryan, 
during  the  session  of  the  Medina  Conference.  I  attended 
some  of  the  select  meetings  at  Le  Roy,  not  all.  .  .  My 
impression  is,  that  at  one  of  our  meetings  there  was  a  per- 
son— either  layman  or  preacher,  1  do  not  recollect  which 
— not  a  member  of  our  Conference,  who  was  spoken  to  by 
a  brother,  and  requested  to  leave,  because  we  were  talking 
of  Conference  matters,  and  it  was  not  proper  he  should  be 
with  us.  He  spoke  to  him,  and  they  went  out.  I  should 
think  there  might  have  been  sixty  at  one  of  those  meet- 
ings ;  at  another,  about  forty  ;  they  i-anged  from  thirty  to 
sixty." 

V. — For  refusing  to  entertain  and  investigate  serious 
complaints  made  against  some  of  their  own  number,  though 
ihese  complaints  were  made  by  responsible  persons,  and 
:\re  susceptible,  it  is  believed,  of  ample  proof 


206 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


1.  At  the  session  of  the  Conference  held  at  Medina,  in 
the  fall  of  1856,  Rev.  L,  Stiles,  then  Presiding  Elder  of 
Genesee  District,  stated  to  the  Conference  that  he  had  let- 
lers,  Avritten  by  respectable  persons— two  of  them  mem- 
bers of  our  Church — calling  in  question  the  business  honor 
and  integrity  of  a  member  of  the  Conference  ;  and  asking 
that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  investigate  the  contents 
of  the  letters,  to  see  whether  the  matters  complained  of 
were  worthy  of  notice  or  not.  But  the  Conference  refused 
to  hear  the  letters,  or  to  have  them  referred  to  a  committee. 
See  Letters  marked  "  A ;  "  also  statement  of  Enoch  Pease. 

2.  At  the  session  of  the  Genesee  Conference  held  at  Le 
Roy  in  the  fall  of  1857,  complaints  were  made  of  the  ad- 
rainisti-ation  of  Rev.  A.  D.  Wilbor,  at  that  time  Presiding 
Elder  of  Greuesee  Disti-i-ct.  At  one  of  the  first  Quarterly 
Meetings  which  Mr.  Wilbor  held  after  his  appointment  to 
the  district,  he  permitted  to  be  introduced  into  the  Quar- 
terly Conference,  and  to  be  passed,  and  to  be  ordered  to 
be  published  in  the  Northern  Christian  Advocate,  and  in 
the  Buffalo  Christian  Advocate,  a  preamble  and  resolu- 
tions, charging  ministers  and  members  in  good  standing 
in  the  M.  E.  Church,  among  other  things,  with  "  claiming 
the  gift  of  discerning  spirits  ;  "  with  "  seeking  to  disturb 
and  divide  the  Church  by  publicly  assailing  the  Christian 
character  of  her  ministers  and  members;"  with  "making 
appointments  for  preaching  in  a  Church  without  consult- 
ing its  trustees  or  the  preacher  in  charge,  and  contrary  to 
his  wishes,  and  availing  themselves  of  that  opportunity  to 
villify  and  traduce  the  Church  and  her  ministers  ;  "  and 
with  being  engaged  in  a  movement,  "  factious,  turbulent, 
contrary  to  the  true  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  dangerous 
to  the  highest  interests  of  the  Church  of  God."  Charges 
of  mal-administration  were  preferred  against  Mr.  Wilbor 
for  thus  allowing  ministers  or  members,  or  both,  to  be  con- 
demned and  executed,  uncited,  in  their  absence,  by  a  tri- 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


207 


bunal  to  which  they  were  not  responsible,  and  over  which 
he  presided.  The  majority — doubtless  in  accordance  with 
the  course  agreed  upon  in  their  secret  meetings — refused 
to  entertain  these  charges,  or  to  express  any  disapproba- 
tion of  the  unprecedented  conduct  of  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference. For  the  resolutions,  see  "  Proceedings  of  Brock- 
port  Quarterly  Conference ;"  and  for  Conference  action, 
see  the  Journal  for  the  year  1857.  The  Conference  also 
refused  to  receive  and  to  enter  upon  their  Journal  a  Protest 
against  their  action,  signed  by  six  members  of  the  Confer- 
ence.   See  Protest. 

3.  At  the  session  of  the  Conference  held  at  PeiTy  in  tlie 
fall  of  1858,  a  charge  of  dishonesty  was  preferred  against 

the  Rev.  .    He  was  accused  of  having  bought  a 

piece  of  Michigan  land  of  John  Pletcher,  of  Pekin,  Niagara 
county,  N.  Y.  After  keeping  it  a  few  years  he  sold  it,  and 
persuaded  Mr.  Pletcher  to  give  a  deed  directly  to  the  man 
to  whom  he  had  sold  it — assuring  Mr.  Pletcher  that  the 
taxes  were  paid ;  that  there  was  no  lien  upon  it,  and  that 
it  should  be  no  trouble  or  expense  to  him,  the  said  Pletch- 
er, but  would  save  him,  the  said  preacher,  a  good  deal  of 
trouble  in  getting  his,  the  said  preacher's,  wife  to  sign  the 
deed,  as  she  was  at  a  distance.  A  few  months  after  sign- 
ing this  second  deed,  Mr.  Pletcher  received  a  notice  from 
a  man  in  Michigan,  that  he  had  bought  this  land  on  a  sale 
for  taxes.  He  acquainted  the  preacher  of  the  fact,  who 
replied,  in  substance,  that  if  he  had  got  himself  into  trou- 
ble, he  must  get  out  the  best  way  he  could.  A  difficulty 
thus  arising,  the  parties  agreed  to  leave  the  matter  to 
three  arbitrators.  Rev.  Thomas  Carlton  acted  as  counsel 
for  the  pieacher,  and  Rev.  D.  B.  Lawton  as  counsel  for 
Mr.  Pletcher.  Rev.  Glezen  Fillmore,  P.  E.  of  the  district, 
pi-esided.  Before  the  trial  commenced,  Mr.  Carlton  had 
the  parties  agree  to  abide  by  the  decision  of  the  arbitr.-x- 
tors,  whatever  it  might  be.    After  a  full  exarauiation  of 


208 


A   HISTORY   OF  THE 


the  case,  the  arbitrators  decided  tliat  the  preacher  should 
pay  the  expense  Mr.  Fletcher  had  been  subjected  to  in 
consequence  of  signing  the  second  deed.  As  soon  as  the 
verdict  was  rendered,  Mr.  Carlton  insisted  that  tliere  should 
be  a  new  trial,  and  succeeded  in  having  one  ordered.  At 
the  second  trial,  each  party  was  to  choose  two  arbitrators, 
and  the  four  select  the  fifth.  By  management,  Mr.  Carlton 
succeeded  in  getting  his  brother-in-law,  Rev.  Charles  Shell- 
ing, appointed  as  the  fifth  arbitrator.  The  two  arbitrators 
selected  by  the  preacher  were  ministers ;  and  they,  with 
Mr.  Shelling,  brought  in  a  verdict  in  favor  of  the  preacher. 
This  was  a  settlement  of  the  matter  in  lieu  of  going  to 
law. 

Tlie  charge  referred  to  above  for  the  moral  icrong  in.' 
volved  in  this  transaction,  was  sununo.rily  dismissed. 

For  proof  of  facts  here  slated,  see  J.  Fletcher's  state- 
ment, and  letter  of  Judge  Sage.  For  proof  that  the 
preacher  knew  that  the  taxes  were  not  paid,  see  letter  of 
Tobias  Byers.  Also,  inquire  of  I.  M.  Chesbrough.  For 
Conference  action,  see  Journal  for  1858. 

4.  Charges  were  preferred  against  the  Rev.  J  G. 

M  ,  at  the  last  session  of  the  Conference.    One  charge 

for  falsehood  was  clearly  proved  by  witnesses  of  good 
standing  in  the  M.  E.  Church — men  of  uuimpeached  ve- 
racity. Yet  the  charge  was  voted  not  sustained.  See 
Journal  of  Conference  for  1859. 

Another  charge  against  the  same  preachei-,  for  refusing 
to  account  for  money  raised  in  a  collection  taken  up  at  the 
dedication  of  a  Church,  was  dismissed  because  the  wit- 
nesses were  not  present  the  day  the  Conference  chose  to 
take  the  matter  up,  although  they  were  present  the  next 
day  of  the  session.  For  proof  of  the  disposal  of  the 
charge,  see  Conference  Journal  for  1859;  also  consult  Rev. 
C.  D.  Brooks.  For  proof  of  charge,  see  affidavits  of  John 
Corastock  and  William  Holmes. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


209 


Complaints  have  been  made  and  charges  preferred  against 
other  preachers,  identified  with  the  majority  of  the  Gene- 
see Conference ;  but,  lest  we  be  tedious,  we  will  not  go 
farther  into  details,  but  give  the  above  cases  as  specimens. 
So  uniform  has  been  the  acquittal  of  their  partisans,  that 
it  has  come  to  be  understood,  that  it  is  a  mere  waste  of 
time  to  attempt  to  bring  one  of  them  to  justice  at  the  bar 
of  the  Conference,  unless  he  is  notoriously  guilty  of  some 
flagrant  offense  against  society. 

VI. — We  complain  of  the  majority  of  Genesee  Confer- 
ence, for  their  judicial  action  towards  preachers  who  could 
not,  in  conscience,  adopt  their  policy  or  subscribe  to  their 
measures,  but  who  were  laboring  to  promote  old-fashioned 
Methodism. 

1.  At  the  session  of  the  Genesee  Conference  held  at  Le 
Roy,  in  the  fall  of  1857,  the  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  after 
coming  within  two  votes  of  being  elected  Secretary,  was 
arrested  for  "  unchristian  and  immoral  conduct,"  for  wri- 
ting and  publishing  an  article  entitled  "  New- School  Meth- 
odism." This  article  was  on  the  Conference  difficulties, 
and  was  based  upon  two  articles  which  appeared  in  the 
Buffalo  Advocate — the  organ  of  the  majority.  Before 
the  trial  commenced,  Mr.  Roberts  said,  in  open  Conference, 
that  he  honestly  believed  his  article  was  true  ;  but  if  the 
brethren  referred  to  would  say  that  they  did  not  hold  the 
sentiments  he  ascribed  to  them,  he  would  gladly  publish, 
in  all  the  papers  they  desired,  the  needed  correction.  But 
no  one  claimed  to  have  been  misrepresented.  The  specifi- 
cations contained  language  and  sentiments  not  to  be  found 
in  the  article.  In  accordance  with  the  plan  agreed  upon 
in  the  secret  meetings  referred  to  in  the  IVth  general  com- 
plaint, they  voted  the  specifications  and  the  charge  sus- 
tained. By  this  decision,  they,  in  effect,  established  the 
principle  that  a  man  may  be  held  responsible  for  language 
he  never  used,  and  for  sentiments  he  never  uttered.  After 


210 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


sentencing  him  to  be  admonished  by  the  chair,  ihey  passed 
his  character — thus  saying,  by  their  action,  that  they  had 
voted  a  brother  guilty  of  "  immoral  conduct  "  when  they 
did  not  believe  him  guilty;  or  tliat,  in  their  judgment, 
"  immoral  conduct "  did  not  unfit  a  man  for  being  a  Meth- 
odist traveling  preacher. 

For  proof  of  Conference  action,  see  Journal  for  1857. 
For  proof  of  action  had  on  this  case  in  secret  meetings, 
see  testimony  adduced  and  IVth  Complaint.  Consult  also 
Rev.  C.  D.  Burlingham,  Rev.  C.  P.  Clark,  Rev.  A.  Mcln- 
tyre,  and  Rev.  H.  W.  Annis. 

2.  At  the  session  of  the  Conference  held  at  Perry  in  the 
fall  of  1858,  the  charge  of  "  unchristian  and  immoral  con- 
duct "  was  again  brought  against  the  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts, 
for  re-publishing  or  assisting  in  the  re-publication  of  "  New 
School  Methodism,"  and  for  publishing  and  circulating  a 
document  signed  "  George  W.  Estes."  The  complainants 
did  not  prove  that  Mr.  Roberts  had  anything  to  do  with 
publishing  the  documents  referred  to.  They  brought  for- 
ward only  one  witness — the  Rev.  John  Bowman — to  prove 
the  circulation.  He  testified  that  Mr.  Roberts  handed 
him  a  package  containing  about  three  doaen.  In  liis  de- 
fence, Mr.  Roberts  showed  that  if  he  had  published  and 
circulated  the  documents  complained  of,  it  would  not  be 
immoral  conduct,  for  the  statements  made  in  them  were 
generally  true ;  and  in  the  second  place,  he  impeached  the 
veracity  of  Rev.  John  Bowman  as  a  witness,  and  showed 
tiiat  whatever  the  nature  of  the  documents,  the  prosecu- 
tion had  failed  to  prove  either  publication  or  circulation. 
Yet  on  the  testimony  of  this  one  witness,  thus  impeached, 
Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  was  expelled  from  the  Conference  and 
the  Church.  See  Journal  of  1858.  For  impeachment,  see 
testimony  of  Rev.  John  Bowman,  page  24th  of  Defence, 
compared  witli  testimony  of  Revs.  Wm.  ]>arrett,  R.  E. 
Thomas,  S.  C.  Cluurli,  and  E.  S.  Furman,  on  25th  page  of 


PBEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


211 


Defence.  See  also  letter  of  Rev.  John  Bowman  to  Rev. 
L.  Stiles. 

3.  At  the  same  session,  Rev.  J.  McCreery  was  expelled 
on  the  same  charge  and  specifications.  He  offered  to  show 
that  an  ex  parte  report  of  the  trial  of  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts 
had  been  published  in  the  Buffalo  Advocate ;  that  this 
Estes  pamphlet  was  designed  to  correct  this  report  and  to 
let  the  people  know  what  was  the  immorality  of  wliich 
he  had  been  voted  guilty.  He  also  wished  to  show  that 
the  pamphlet  had  been  circulated  generally  by  preachers 
of  both  sides.  In  both  points  he  was  overruled — voted 
guilty  of  "  immoral  conduct,"  and  expelled  from  the  Con- 
ference and  the  M.  E.  Church. 

4.  At  the  last  session  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  held 
at  Brockport  in  the  fall  of  1859,  Rev.  L.  Stiles  was  expelled 
from  the  Conference  and  the  M.  E.  Church  on  the  charge 
of  "  contumacy,"  for  participating  with  B.  T.  Roberts  in 
religious  services,  and  for  preaching  at  HoUey  and  organ- 
izing a  class  there — it  being,  as  was  claimed,  within  the 
bounds  of  another  preacher's  charge. 

In  his  defence,  Mr.  Stiles  showed  that  Mr.  Roberts  had, 
at  the  time  he  associated  with  him  in  religious  meetings, 
an  exhorter's  license,  duly  given  by  a  preacher  of  tlie  Gen- 
esee Conference,  who  had  just  closed  a  term  of  service  in 
the  Presiding  Elder's  office.  He  admitted  the  fact  of 
preaching  the  Gospel  and  getting  sinners  saved  at  HoUey ; 
but  showed,  in  justification,  that  for  nine  years  Holley  had 
been  abandoned  by  the  preachers  of  the  adjoining  circuit. 
He  also  showed  that  our  Discipline  requires  preachers  to 
"go  always,  not  only  to  those  that  want  you,  but  to  those 
that  want  you  most.  Observe !  it  is  not  your  business 
only  to  preach  so  many  times,  and  to  take  care  of  this  or 
that  society,  but  to  save  as  many  as  you  can ;  to  bring  as 
many  sinners  as  you  can  to  repentance,  and  with  all  your 
power  to  build  them  up  in  that  holiness,  without  which 


212 


A   HISTOEY   OF  THE 


they  cannot  see  the  Lord."  Thus  was  this  devoted  servant 
of  God  expelled  from  the  Conference  and  the  Church.  So 
contrary  to  the  spirit  of  Christianity  was  the  treatment  he, 
with  others,  had  received,  and  such  strong  grounds  had  the 
bishops  and  the  official  editors  taken  in  support  of  the 
Conference  action,  and  so  confident  was  the  prediction  that 
a  hearing  could  not  be  had  at  the  General  Conference,  that 
lie  felt  he  could  not,  as  a  mere  matter  of  form,  take  an  ap- 
peal.   See  Conference  Journal  for  1859. 

5.  Rev.  C.  D.  Burlinghara,  at  the  same  session,  was  ex- 
pelled, for  receiving  B.  T.  Roberts  on  probation  ;  and  for 
assisting,  one  Sabbath,  in  a  meeting  held  in  a  Wesleyaa 
Methodist  Church,  in  which  meeting  Messrs.  Roberts  and 
McCreery  participated.  It  was  also  alleged  that  the  Pre- 
siding Elder  was  holding  a  regular  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
the  same  time — about  three  miles  distant — within  the 
bounds  of  the  same  charge. 

In  justification  of  his  course  in  receiving  B.  T.  Roberts, 
Mr.  Burlinghara  stated  that  a  society  meeting  unanimously 
recommended  his  reception.  He  felt  covered  by  Bishop 
Baker,  who  says,  in  his  Guide  Book,  page  159,  "  When  a 
member  or  preacher  has  been  expelled,"  "  if  the  society 
become  convinced  of  the  innocence  of  the  expelled  mem- 
ber, he  may  again  be  received  on  trial  without  confession." 
He  stated  that  he  did  not  know  that  the  P.  E.  had  a  meet- 
ing in  the  same  charge  at  the  same  time ;  that  no  disre- 
spect was  intended  in  either  case,  either  to  the  Conference 
or  to  the  Presiding  Elder.  He  went  to  the  verge  of  con- 
science in  making  concessions ;  but  his  doom  was  sealed, 
and  he  was  expelled.    See  Journal  for  1859. 

G.  At  the  same  session.  Rev.  Wm.  Cooley  was  expelled 
for  "  receiving  into  his  pulpit  and  treating  as  a  minister 
an  expelled  member  from  this  Conference  ;  "  and  for  attend- 
ing a  camp-meeting  held  at  Brockport  by  Fay  H.  Purdy, 
during  the  session  of  the  Conference, 


FRKK  METHODIST  CHTTRCH. 


213 


Mr.  Cooley  admitted  that  at  a  meeting  held  in  his  charge, 
'Mr.  Roberts  was  present  and  exhorted ;  and  at  another 
time,  Mr.  McCreery,  without  being  invited,  addressed  the 
people,  as  he  said,  on  his  own  authority. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Wells  was  also  expelled  at  the  same  session, 
for  "holding  religious  meetings  in  connection  with  B.  T. 
Roberts,"  and  for  "  going  into  the  bounds  of  other  breth- 
rens'  charges,  and  holding  religious  meetings."  He  showed 
in  his  defence,  that  B.  T.  Roberts,  after  his  expulsion,  had 
joined  on  trial,  and  received  a  license  to  exhort ;  and  as 
an  exhorter  he  received  him.  He  also  showed  that  not 
one  of  the  preachers  on  whose  charges  he  had  preached, 
liad  ever  intimated  that  they  were  displeased  with  his 
preaching  within  their  bounds.  But  nothing  could  save 
him.  He  was  expelled  from  the  Conference  and  the  M.  E. 
Cliurch. 

Revs.  H.  H.  Famsworth  and  J.  W.  Reddy,  for  the  same 
reasons,  were,  under  pain  of  expulsion,  compelled  to  locate 
at  the  same  session. 

Vn. — We  complain  of  the  administration  upon  their 
respective  charges,  of  some  of  the  majority  of  the  Genesee 
Conference. 

1.  In  expelling  from  the  Church  on  frivolous  pretexts, 
worthy  members,  simply  because  they  could  not  give  their 
countenance  to  the  unchristian  course  pursued  by  some  of 
the  ministers.  As  specimens,  we  refer  you  to  the  expul- 
sion of  Seymour  J.  Nobles,  of  Olean.  See  Olean  Adver- 
tiser.   Consult  also  Rev.  John  Stainton,  Rev.  A.  Kendall. 

The  expulsion  of  Mrs.  Julia  Knowlton,  of  Lockport. — 
Consult  Mr.  Gitchell.    See  also  her  printed  trial. 

2.  In  pronouncing  members  withdrawn  without  their 
knowledge  or  consent,  and  contrary  to  their  wishes — thus 
excluding  members  in  good  standing  from  the  Church 
without  even  the  form  of  a  trial. 

This  has  been  done  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  in  a 


214 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


number  of  places.  For  proof,  we  refer  to  Rev.  John  Stain- 
ton,  of  Perry  ;  A.  Ames,  of  Ridgeville ;    Parker,  of 

Spring  Brook,  and  J.  H.  Jones,  of  Niagara  Falls. 

3.  In  removing  from  official  stations  men  of  piety  and 
experience,  through  whose  labors  the  Church  has  been 
sustained,  and  filling  their  places  with  men  of  poor  repu- 
tation for  personal  sanctity,  and  whose  sole  qualification 
consists  in  their  submission  to  the  wishes  of  the  majority. 
For  proof,  we  refer  you  to  the  testimony  of  S.  S.  Rice,  J. 
A.  Wells,  Geo.  W.  Holmes,  L.  A.  Halstead. 

4.  In  proscribing  religious  meetings  not  under  their  im- 
mediate control.  See  Niagara  City  Herald,  of  Oct.  8th, 
1859.    Consult  also  I.  M.  Chesbrough. 

VIII.  — We  complain  of  the  slanderous  reports  they 
publish  and  circulate,  respecting  those  who  are  contending 
for  primitive  Methodism.  Thus  the  Pastoral  Address,  page 
7th,  says  :  "The  meeting  at  Beech  Lane  was  a  bear-garden 
full  of  noise,  howling,  cursing,  swearing,  blasphemy,  and 
confusion."  On  the  8th  page  it  says,  some  of  the  various 
phases  of  enthusiasm  "  we  have  noticed  above,  and  which, 
with  immaterial  variations,  are  occasionally  manifest 
among  us." 

One  of  the  preachers  who  assisted  in  the  expulsion  of 
Rev.  L.  Stiles  for  "  contumacy,"  reported  that  he  was  ex 
pelled  for  "  lying."  See  affidavits.  See  also  article  in  the 
Medina  Tribune,  written  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Wentworth. 

IX.  — We  complain  of  them  for  the  disposition  they 
make  of  the  money  raised  for  superannuated  preachers, 
their  widows  and  orphans;  giving  to  the  claimants  upon 
this  fund,  who  will  support  their  measures,  a  much  larger 
proportion  than  they  are  entitled  to,  either  from  their  ser- 
vices or  their  necessities.  In  the  case  of  one  worthy  claim- 
ant, they  last  year  deprived  him  of  all  claim,  without  a 
vote  of  the  Conference,  and  without  his  consent,  because 
he  did  not  answer  in  a  manner  satisfactory  to  the  commit- 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


215 


tee  on  claims,  certain  test  questions  which  they  were 
pleased  to  ask  him. 

For  proof,  we  refer  yon  to  the  Minutes  of  the  Genesee 
Conference  for  1859,  page  5th.  There  you  will  see  that 
1.  Chamberlayne  received  $150;  J.  P.  Kent,  $75  ;  R.  M. 
Evarts,  $80;  B.Williams,  $75;  A.  Hard,  $100;  Widow 
Hoag,  $100;  Widow  Alverson,  $100;  Widow  Kendall, 
$50.  I.  Chamberlayne  is,  we  suppose,  in  as  good  circum- 
stances as  A.  Hard,  and  is  worth  considerable  more  than 
either  of  the  following  three.  Of  the  Widows,  Mrs.  Ken- 
dall is  worth  the  least.  See  also  statement  of  Rev.  A. 
Hard. 

Therefore,  your  memorialists  respectfully  ask  that  the 
judicial  action  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  by  which  six 
of  its  members,  to  wit :  Revs.  B.  T.  Roberts,  J.  McCreery, 
Jr.,  L.  Stiles,  Jr.,  C.  D.  Burlingham,  J.  A.  Wells,  and 
Wm.  Cooley,  were  expelled,  and  two  others  located,  to 
wit:  H.  H.  Farnsworth  and  J.  W.  Reddy — may  be  re- 
versed, and  these  brethren  may  be  restored  to  their  former 
standing  in  the  ministry  ;  and  that  such  safeguards  against 
Buch  action  in  the  future  may  be  adopted  as  your  wisdom 
shall  suggest. 

SAMtTEL  C.  Church,      C.  D.  BuRLtNOHAM, 
A.  Kendall,  B.  T.  Roberts. 

The  undersigned,  though  differing  from  the  above-named 
persons,  as  to  the  expediency  of  bringing  into  this  memo- 
rial a  few  of  the  statements  contained  therein,  do  never- 
theless, mostly  from  our  own  painful  knowledge  of  the 
state  of  things  within  our  bounds,  and  partly  from  what 
we  regard  as  reliable  information,  judge  that  the  state- 
ments of  the  above  memorial  are  true  ;  and  we  hereby 
■join  with  the  above  memorialists  in  asking  the  appropri- 
ate redress. 

Aba  Abbll,  J,  P.  Kent, 

A.  Hard,  R.  Cooley. 


CHAPTER  X 


The  General  Conference — upon  which  so  many  anxious 
eyes  were  turned,  on  account  of  the  Genesee  difficulties, 
in  the  hope  that  all  would  there  be  made  right — com 
menced  its  session  May  1st,  1860,  in  the  city  of  Buffalo, 
and  continued  its  deliberations  during  the  entire  month. 

Things  had  now  reached  a  crisis.  The  long-pending  ap- 
peal of  the  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts  was  now  to  be  disposed 
of,  by  the  action  of  the  highest  judiciary  of  the  Church 
from  which  he  had  been  expelled ;  and  questions  of  deep 
and  lasting  interest  were  suspended,  it  was  clearly  seen, 
upon  the  decision  of  that  case. 

The  elements  of  society  within  the  bounds  of  the  Old 
Genesee  Conference,  and  in  some  directions  far  beyond 
those  limits,  were  stirred  to  their  profoundest  depths  by 
what  had  occurred.  The  Buffalo  Regency — as  an  aspi- 
ring, unscrupulous,  secret-society  clan,  belonging  to  the 
Conference,  were  called — were  doing  all  in  their  power 
to  prejudice  the  Church  and  community  against  their  in- 
tended victims,  preparatory  to  their  final  and  complete 
overthrow  upon  the  General  Conference  floor ;  and  a  wide- 
spread storm  was  gathering  in  the  moral  heavens,  which 
threatened  to  break  upon  the  people  with  most  disastrous 
consequences. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  Conference  opened ;  and 
many  were  the  members  and  spectators  who  hung  upon 
the  scene  in  breathless  doubt  of  the  course  they  would  take 
on  the  subject  of  the  difficulties  about  to  come  before 
them.  It  was  soon  apparent,  however,  that  the  spirit  of 
216 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


217 


early  Methodism  had  departed  from  that  venerable  body, 
and  another  spirit  than  that  of  the  fathers — the  spirit  of 
a  worldly,  ambitious,  temporizing  policy — ruled  the  hour. 
The  delegates  belonging  to  secret  societies,  and  those  of  a 
pro-slavery  type,  making  common  cause  of  it,  refused,  by 
a  majority  vote  which  they  contrived  to  command,  to  en- 
tertain Mr.  Roberts'  appeal,  though  in  bare-faced  opposi- 
tion to  one  of  our  strictest  rules  ;  and,  of  course,  this  de- 
voted ambassador  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  accordance 
with  the  action  of  the  Genesee  Conference  in  his  case, 
stood  expelled  from  the  Church ! ! !  Heaven  wept ! — the 
friends  of  Jesus  heaved  a  heart-felt  sigh  !  The  Regency 
party  shouted  over  their  guilty  victory — congratulating 
themselves  that  the  voice  of  holy  admonition  and  reproof, 
which  had  given  them  so  much  inquietude,  was  now  si- 
lenced !  and  hell,  forever  in  sympathy  with  such-like  Jesu- 
itical movements,  held  high  jubilee  on  the  occasion  ! 

The  remarks  of  Rev.  William  Hosmer,  upon  the  atro- 
cious illegality  of  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  in 
regard  to  the  appeal  of  Mr.  Roberts,  and  Mr.  Burlingham 
— who  also  took  an  appeal  to  that  body — are  so  just  and 
appropriate,  that  we  cannot  forbear  to  introduce  them  at 
this  point.    They  are  as  follows : 

From  the  Northern  Independent. 
THE  COURT  OF  APPEALS— A  STRANGE  DECISION. 

Methodism  has  taught  us  to  live  in  the  presence  of 
God,  and  to  shape  all  our  acts  under  the  inspection  of  his 
eye.  Whatsoever  cannot  abide  this  test,  must  be  discarded 
and  abhorred,  because  it  will  surely  be  condemned  in  "  the 
eternal  judgment  "  to  Avhich  we  are  hastening.  That  the 
Court  of  appeals,  constituted  by  the  last  General  Confer- 
ence, did  not  do  its  work  so  as  to  secure  either  divine  or 
human  respect,  is  a  conclusion  forced  upon  us  from  every 
view  we  have  been  able  to  take  of  the  subject.  Gladly 
10 


218 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


would  we  pass  by  these  judicial  procoGdings  without  fur- 
ther notice,  if  it  were  allowable  .  But  they  are  of  too  seri- 
ous a  character,  and  will  be  found  too  far  reacliing  in  their 
consequences,  to  admit  of  silent  acquiescence.  Ecclesias- 
tical courts  are  not  famous  for  liberality  and  justice  ;  but 
wc  believe  the  courts  of  Methodism  have  not  generally 
sunk  to  the  level  indicated  by  the  trial  of  these  appeals. 

First  in  order,  was  the  case  of  Rev.  C.  D.  Burlipgham. 
He  was  expelled  from  the  Genesee  Conference  and  the  M. 
E.  Church  for  doing  three  things : 

1st.  Admitting  B.  T.  Roberts  into  the  Church  on  trial. 

2d.  Licensing  him  to  exhort. 

3d.  Officiating  with  expelled  preachers  at  a  general 
quarterly  meeting  held  in  a  Wesleyan  Church,  at  the  same 
time  that  his  Presiding  Elder  was  holding  a  regular  quar- 
terly meeting  in  the  same  charge,  about  three  miles  distant. 

Mr.  Burlingham  admitted  the  facts  alleged,  but  pleaded 
in  justification, 

1st.  That  he  received  B.  T.  Roberts,  and  licen.sed  him 
to  exhort,  on  the  unanimous  recommendation  of  the  soci- 
ety meeting  of  the  Church  with  which  Mr.  Roberts  had 
last  labored.  In  this  action  he  believed  he  was  covered 
by  Bishop  Baker,  who  says,  in  his  work  on  Discipline,  page 
159,  "If,  however,  the  society  become  convinced  of  the 
innocence  of  the  expelled  member,  he  may  again  be  re- 
ceived on  trial,  without  confession." 

2d.  That  when  he  engaged  to  attend  the  general  quar- 
terly meeting,  he  supposed  that  Mr.  Roberts  had  a  right, 
as  an  exhorter,  to  hold  meetings. 

3d.  That  he  did  not  know  that  the  M.  E.  Church  had  a 
society,  or  an  appointment,  in  the  place  where  the  general 
quarterly  meeting  was  held.  He  supposed  the  ground  was 
occupied  exclusively  by  the  Wesleyans. 

These  were  the  only  offenses  with  which  Mr.  Burling- 
ham was  charged. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH, 


After  his  expulsion  he  waited  silently  for  the  General 
Conference.  He  did  not  preach,  nor  lecture,  nor  exhort — 
did  not  attend  meetings  held  by  expelled  preachers — but 
did  pefia?ice  up  to  the  session  of  the  Genearl  Conference. 
He  should  have  been  restored  on  the  ground  of  having 
expiated  his  guilt,  if  he  were  guilty  of  any  ordinary  of- 
fence, if  on  no  other.  When  his  appeal  came  up,  Mr.  Ful- 
ler, who  had  been  chief  prosecutor  in  all  those  trials,  chal- 
lenged several  of  the  committee  who  had  manifested  a 
desire  to  have  Genesee  Conference  matters  fairly  investi- 
gated. Though  the  General  Conference,  in  constituting 
the  committee,  or  Court  of  Appeals,  had  given  to  parties 
tlic  right  to  challenge ybr  cuuse,  yet  Mr.  Fuller,  after  the 
first  instance,  was  not  required  to  give  cause,  but  chal- 
lenged as  many  as  he  chose,  a?id  they  were  set  aside.  He 
simply  said  of  tlie  challenged,  "  he  considered  them  preju- 
diced." 

Mr.  Olin,  of  the  Oneida  Conference,  managed  the  case 
for  Mr.  Burlingham  with  consummate  tact  and  great 
ability.  His  plea  was  a  masterly  effort,  and  carried  con- 
viction to  the  minds,  we  believe,  of  all  who  heard  it,  except 
the  committee.  Ther/  sent  the  case  back  to  the  Getiesee 
Conference  for  a  nexo  trial.  This  we  regard  as  a  remark- 
able decision.  Neither  party  asked  for  it.  We  never 
heard  before  of  a  case  being  remanded  for  a  new  trial,  un- 
less there  was  some  alleged  informality  in  the  court  below, 
or  defect  in  the  record,  or  unless  one  or  the  other  of  the 
parties  claimed  to  have  new  testimony  which  could  not  be 
introduced  into  the  first  trial.  But  nothing  of  the  kind 
was  intimated  in  this  case.  There  can  be  no  new  testi- 
mony, for  Mr.  Burlingham  admitted  all  the  facts  with 
which  he  was  charged. 

Do  these  facts,  mentioned  above,  constitute  a  crime,  for 
which  an  able  minister,  of  spotless  reputation,  who  has 
served  the  Church  for  over  twenty  years,  devoting  the 


220 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


vigor  of  his  manhood's  prime  in  self-sacrificing  efforts  to 
promote  her  interests,  should  be  expelled?  Then  let  the 
General  Conference  say  so,  that  all  who  henceforth  enter 
the  Methodist  ministry,  may  understand  that  they  are 
expected  to  lay  their  manhood  in  the  dust,  part  with 
the  right  of  private  judgment,  and  yield  a  servile,  unques- 
tioning obedience  to  all  the  behests  of  their  ecclesiastical 
superiors. 

Was  Mr.  Burlingham,  through  party  malignity,  treated 
unjustly  ?  Was  he  wrongfully  deposed  from  the  ministry, 
and  excluded  from  the  Church  ?  Then  the  General  Con- 
ference should  have  restored  him.  This  was  due  to  him; 
it  was  due  to  outraged  justice ;  it  was  due  to  the  M.  E. 
Church,  whose  Discipline — confessedly  more  susceptible 
of  abuse  than  that  of  any  other  Church  in  this  country — 
has  been  used  for  the  purpose  of  inflicting  ecclesiastical 
oppression  without  a  parallel  in  the  nineteenth  century. 

But  the  General  Conference,  through  its  committee,  or 
Court  of  Appeals,  after  gravely  listening  to  the  testimony 
and  pleadings,  sent  the  case  back  for  a  new  trial,  without 
a  motion  to  that  eflfect  from  either  party.  What,  we  ask, 
is  there  to  try  ?  There  can  be  no  issue  on  the  facts — 
these  are  admitted. 

But  Mr.  Burlingham  contends  that  these  facts  do  not 
constitute  a  crime  for  which  he  should  be  deposed  from 
the  ministry,  and  expelled  from  the  Church. 

The  Genesee  Conference  has  said  that  they  do.  Here  is 
the  issue — who  shall  decide  ?  The  Discipline  vests  the 
power  in  the  General  Conference — the  body  to  try  ap- 
peals. The  case  was  properly  brought  before  them,  and 
they  have  sent  it  back,  for  the  Genesee  Conference  to  de- 
cide over  again.  What  an  absurd  decision !  What  an 
insult  to  Mr.  Burlingham,  and  to  common  sense  !  Suppose 
the  views  of  law  and  justice  entertained  by  the  Genesee 
Conference  remain  unchanged,  and  the  same  sentence  be 


FKEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


221 


again  pronounced  against  Mr.  Burlingham,  and  lie  again 
appeals.  After  waiting  four  years  for  another  General 
Conference,  if  he  still  survive,  there  will  not  only  be  the 
same  reason  for  sending  the  case  back  for  a  new  trial  as 
now,  but  the  additional  one  of  precedent.  Thus,  this 
mockery  of  justice  may  continue  ad  infinitum. 

This  looks  more  like  the  tiger  playing  with  the  victim 
he  intends  to  devour,  than  like  a  body  of  Christian  minis- 
ters, bound  by  every  consideration  that  can  influence  to 
right  action,  to  "judge  righteous  judgment." 

Another  fact  is  worthy  of  especial  notice.  Though  the 
decision  in  the  case  was  not  asked  for  in  court  by  either 
party,  yet  it  is  precisely  what  partisans  of  the  Regency 
party  of  the  Genesee  Conference  have  been  endeavoring 
for  months  to  persuade  Mr.  Burlingham  to  consent  to. — 
These  eflbrte  were  continued  up  to  the  morning  of  the  day 
on  which  the  appeal  was  heard.  Yet  neither  in  their 
pleadings,  nor  at  any  time  while  the  appeal  was  being 
heard,  did  the  counsel  for  the  Conference  signify  their  wish 
that  the  case  might  be  remanded  for  a  new  trial.  At  whose 
suggestion  was  it  done  ?  When  was  the  suggestion  made  ? 
"Was  there  any  collusion  in  the  matter?  It  is  impossible 
for  us  to  answer  these  questions.  View  it  in  whatever 
light  you  may,  the  whole  case  has  a  dark  and  suspicious 
aspect. 

Perhaps  somex;lue  to  an  explanation  of  the  strange  pro- 
ceedings in  relation  to  the  Genesee  Conference  appeal 
cases,  may  be  found  in  the  action  had  upon  the  slavery 
question. 

The  Genesee  Conference  has  heretofore  been  one  of  the 
strongest  anti-slavery  Conferences  in  the  connection.  The 
proscribed  party  have,  from  the  first,  been  uncompromising 
in  their  hostility  to  slavery  in  the  Church  and  in  the  State. 

The  Genesee  delegates  to  the  late  General  Conference 
were  once  regarded  as  anti-slavery;  what  they  are  now, 


222 


A    HISTOEY  OP  THE 


their  votes  will  show.  We  asserted  last  fall,  that  the 
Conference  had  become  pro-slavery,  and  gave  as  proof, 
the  fact  that  while  it  condemned  this  paper,  it  refused  to 
take  any  action  against  slavery.  The  truth  of  our  infer- 
ence was  denied  by  some  ;  but  the  recent  course  of  their 
delegates  has  made  our  words  good.  When  the  important 
question  was  decided  in  the  General  Conference  upon  a 
change  of  the  constitution,  so  as  to  prohibit  slave-holding 
in  the  Church,  the  delegates  of  the  Genesee  Conference 
voted  against  a  change,  and  their  vote  turned  the  scale. — 
And  when  the  Genesee  Conference  matters  came  up,  the 
border  pro-slavery  delegates  voted  solid  with  the  representa- 
tives of  the  majority  of  the  Genesee  Conference.  This  may 
be  all  fair.  It  may  be  that  men  who,  four  years  ago,  took 
the  stump  to  keep  slavery  out  of  the  territories,  have  sud- 
denly become  convinced  that  it  should  be  nestled  and  fos- 
tered in  the  bosom  of  the  Church  !  We  should  like  to 
know  by  what  arguments  they  were  converted,  and  when 
it  was  done  !  Was  this  a  part  of  a  scheme  to  keep  slave- 
holders in  the  Church  ?  Did  the  border  understand,  that 
if  they  voted  as  desired  by  the  Genesee  delegates,  they 
would  reciprocate  the  favor,  and  assist  them  in  their  ex- 
tremity ?  Or  did  this  strange  coincidence  come  about  by 
chance  ? 


GENESEE  CONFERENCE  APPEAL  CASES. 

Our  opinion  of  the  late  trials  in  the  Genesee  Conference 
has  been  given  in  these  columns,  and  need  not  be  repeated 
here.  We  have  also  expressed  our  views  freely  in  relation 
to  the  action  of  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  one  case.  It  only 
remains  that  we  refer  to  its  doings  in  another  case — for 
though  the  others  were  ostensibly  expelled  for  different 
causes,  the  real  cause  was  one  and  the  same  in  all  cases. 

At  the  session  of  the  Genesee  Conference  held  at  Le  Roy, 
1857,  B.  T.  Roberts  was  voted  guilty  of  "  immoral  conduct," 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


223 


for  publishing  in  the  Northern  Independent  an  article  en- 
titled "  New  School  Methodism,"  in  which  were  reviewed 
some  articles  which  had  appeared  in  the  Buffalo  Advocate. 
From  this  decision  Mr.  Roberts  appealed,  on  the  ground 
that  his  sentiments  and  language  were  grossly  perverted  ; 
that  he  did  not  say  nor  mean  what  was  alleged  in  the  bill 
of  charges.  At  the  next  session  of  the  Genesee  Confer 
ence,  he  was  expelled  for  "  contumacy,"  for  publishing  and 
circulating  a  second  edition  of  "New School  Methodism," 
together  witli  a  short  account  of  the  first  trial.  From  this 
decision  he  appealed,  on  the  grounds  that  neither  the  pub- 
lication nor  circulation  were  proved,  and  if  they  had  been, 
it  would  not  have  constituted  a  sufficient  reason  for  expul- 
sion, inasmuch  as  the  document  was  substantially  true. 

The  opposing  counsel  made  strong  opposition  to  having 
the  first  appeal  entertained,  but  for  some  reason  he  did 
not  succeed.  The  committee,  after  hearing  the  document 
read,  were  equally  divided  on  tlie  question  of  affirming  tlie 
decision  of  the  Genesee  Conference.  They  stood  balanced 
ill  judgment  as  to  whether  a  Methodist  minister  should  or 
should  not  be  held  responsible  for  the  perversio7i  which 
his  enemies  might  be  pleased  to  put  upon  his  language  ! 

When  his  second  appeal  case  came  up,  Mr.  Roberts  be- 
gan to  exercise  his  right  of  challenging  members  of  the 
committee.  Two  who  were  challenged  were  sot  aside. — 
He  was  then  not  permitted  to  challenge  any  farther,  thougli 
he  assigned  as  the  cause,  that  some  of  the  jury  li.id  com- 
mitted themselves  against  him,  and  published  hostile  arti- 
cles in  the  papers. 

Against  entertaining  this  second  and  more  important 
appeal,  a  still  more  determined  opposition  was  made.  The 
representatives  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  by  their  solici- 
tude, betrayed  the  conviction  that  if  the  a})peal  was  heard, 
the  decision  could  but  be  reversed.  They  had  succeeded 
in  breaking  up  the  committee  appointed  to  investigate 


224 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Genesee  Conference  affairs,  and  now  all  they  had  to  do  to 
prevent  the  light  from  shining  in  upon  their  doings,  was 
to  shut  out  the  appeal. 

Dr.  Curry  and  Mr.  Hatfield,  counsel  for  Mr.  Roberts, 
presented  unanswerable  arguments  why  the  case  should 
be  heard  upon  its  merits,  but  their  eloquence  was  exerted 
in  vain.  The  appeal  was  not  heard  by  the  General  Con- 
ference, and  Mr.  Roberts  gave  notice  that  he  appealed  "  to 
God  and  the  people." 

We  think  we  can  satisfy  every  unprejudiced  person  that 
a  great  wrong  was  done,  in  not  allowing  the  appeals  to  be 
prosecuted. 

1st.  The  Discipline  guarantees,  in  the  most  express  terms, 
theHght  of  appeal.  The  5th  of  the  restrictive  rules,  which 
limit  the  power  of  the  General  Conference,  says  :  "  They 
shall  not  do  aicay  the  privileges  of  our  ministers  or  preach- 
ers,of  trial  by  a  committee,  and  of  an  appeaV  This  lan- 
guage is  plain.  The  General  Conference  "  shall  not," 
either  in  their  legislative  or  judicial  capacity,  "  deprive 

MINISTERS  OF  THE  RIGHT  OP  APPEAL."     ThlS  is  a  part  of 

the  Constitution — the  highest  law  of  the  Church.  The 
only  limitation,  in  any  other  part  of  the  Discipline,  to  this 
right,  is  found  on  the  93d  page,  which  reads,  "  Provided, 
nevertheless,  that  in  all  the  above-mentioned  cases  of  trial 
and  conviction,  an  appeal  to  the  General  Conference  shall 
BE  allowed,  if  the  condemned  person  signify  his  intention 
to  appeal,  at  the  time  of  his  condemnation,  or  at  any  time 
thereafter  when  he  is  informed  thereof.''''  What  can  be 
more  explicit  ?  A  right,  secured  in  express  terms,  can  be 
taken  away  only  in  terms  equally  express  and  unambigu- 
ous. There  is  no  right  more  sacred  than  that  of  appeal. 
The  General  Conference  cannot,  without  violating  the 
plainest  provisions  of  the  constitution,  and  the  law  of  the 
Church,  refuse  to  entertain  an  appeal  duly  notified. 

2d.  The  General  Conference  assumes  powers  which  do 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


225 


not  belong  to  it,  when  they  make  the  right  to  have  an  ap- 
peal heard  depend  upon  anything  the  appellant  has  done 
since  the  decision  from  which  he  appeals. 

In  doing  this,  they  must  first  try  the  appellant  upon  his 
general  conduct  since  his  trial,  from  the  decision  of  which 
he  appeals,  in  order  to  determine  whetlier  his  appeal  shall 
be  entertained  or  not!  But  the  Discipline  does  not  give 
the  General  Conference  original  jurisdiction  over  any  of 
the  ministers  except  the  bishops.  They  have  no  more 
right  than  Judge  Lynch  has,  to  try  a  preacher,  unless  his 
case  comes  before  them  on  an  appeal,  and  then  they  must 
be  confined  to  the  testimony  taken  in  the  lower  court. 

If  the  conduct  of  an  expelled  preacher  pending  his  ap- 
peal, has  not  been  correct,  let  him,  if  unjustly  deposed,  be 
restored,  and  then  he  is  responsible  to  his  Conference  for 
his  actions  while  suspended.  The  General  Conference  is 
authorized  to  try  appeal  cases,  but  not  preachers.  For 
them  to  undertake  to  do  that,  is  an  unwaiTantable  and 
odious  assumption  of  power. 

What  does  the  right  of  appeal  amount  to,  if  the  security 
of  its  exercise  depends  upon  the  prejudice  or  caprice  of  a 
majority  of  a  committee  ? 

3d.  The  appeal  of  Mr.  Roberts  should  have  been  heard, 
because  the  majority  was  committed  agaijist  him  before 

AXY  COMPLAIXT  WAS  MADE   OR  CHARGE  PREFERRED. 

There  is  nothing  guarded  with  greater  jealousy  by  the 
common  law,  than  the  impartiality  of  juries.  A  person 
put  upon  trial  before  its  tribunals,  may  challenge  all  day, 
"for  cause."  Let  it  be  shown,  that  the  jury  had  by  any 
acts,  committed  themselves  before  the  trial,  and  the  ver- 
dict would  be  set  aside. 

The  necessity  of  an  impartial  jury  is  as  great  in  eccle- 
siastical as  in  criminal  trials — when  character,  as  well  as 
life,  is  at  stake.  The  credit  of  religion,  as  well  as  the  se- 
curity of  the  individual,  demands  no  less.  A  verdict 
10* 


226 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


obtained  by  connivance,  or  by  partisan  excitement,  is  none 
the  more  to  be  respected  because  it  was  rendered  under 
religious  forms,  and  by  men  professing  godliness. 

It  is  well  known  that  at  the  time  of  these  trials,  the 
Genesee  Conference  was  divided  into  two  parties ;  that 
this  partisan  feeling,  which  had  existed  for  years,  was 
Avrought  up  to  the  greatest  intensity ;  that  at  the  Confer- 
ence which  instituted  the  first  of  these  trials,  the  party 
opposed  to  the  appellant,  for  the  first  time  became  a  ma- 
jority, several  of  the  opposite  party  having  been  trans- 
ferred to  other  Conferences ;  and  that  it  was  by  this  acci- 
dental, excited,  and  thoroughly  partisan  majority,  that 
Mr.  Roberts  was  tried.  This  being  the  case,  and  the  trial 
resulting  as  it  did,  if  there  ever  was  an  instance  where  the 
corrective  agency  of  an  appellate  court  was  needed,  that 
case  was  the  one  under  consideration. 

If  there  is  any  analogy  between  an  ecclesiastical  court 
and  a  civil  court,  then  the  necessity  was  even  greater  than 
we  have  stated  ;  and  so  far  from  not  entertaining  the  ap- 
peal, the  court  should  have  annulled  the  previous  trial, 
and  sent  the  case  back  for  a  new  investigation,  if  a  trial 
was  judged  to  be  necessary.  But,  admitting  the  validity 
of  tlie  action  of  the  court  below,  we  see  not  how  it  was 
possible  for  this  appellate  court  to  refuse  to  entertain  the 
appeal.  The  hearing  of  oases  is  not  optional  with  such  a 
court — an  appeal  always  lies,  if  the  party  appealing  gives 
due  notice  of  his  intention,  and  is  on  hand  to  prosecute 
his  claims.  Not  to  entertain  an  appeal  is,  therefore,  a 
palpable  dereliction  from  duty;  and,  in  this  instance,  it 
was  equivalent  to  saying  that,  so  far  as  these  expelled 
brethren  were  concerned,  there  should  be  no  appellate  court 
in  the  M.  E.  Church — thus  practically  annihilating  one  of 
the  most  important  branches  of  our  judiciary,  and  render- 
ing it  forever  impossible  to  correct  the  errors  of  the  court 
below.    Well  might  the  appellant  stand  aghast  at  such 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH.  227 

treatment,  and  make  his  appeal  to  God  and  the  people. 
The  judicial  infatuation  which  has  rendered  it  necessary 
to  transfer  this  and  other  like  cases,  from  an  earthly  to  a 
heavenly  tribunal,  we  deplore,  but  cannot  help.  The  deed 
is  done,  and  with  all  its  appalling  consequences,  the  record 
must  go  up  to  God.  We  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  we  have  not  been  awed  by  authority,  nor  terrified  by 
threats,  into  silence  in  the  presence  of  such  wrongs.  The 
senseless,  shameless  cry  of  "  Nazaritism,"  we  fling  back 
with  the  hearty  contempt  which  it  merits.  Those  who  in- 
dulge in  this  low  style  of  abuse,  should  remember  that 
there  are  people  in  the  world  who  are  not  afraid  of  slang, 
and  who  will  not  desert  the  innocent  because  malice,  for 
accomplishment  of  its  own  purposes,  heaps  upon  them 
disparaging  epithets.  To  defend  the  injured  should  be 
regarded  as  a  virtue,  not  as  a  crime ;  and  whatever  the 
meanness  or  the  madness  of  persecution  may  inflict,  we 
had  far  rather  share  it  with  the  oppressed,  than  betray 
them  to  the  clutches  of  a  relentless  tyranny. 


This  General  Conference  forms  an  epoch  in  the  history 
of  Methodism.  Other  General  Conferences  have  had  their 
importance,  both  in  respect  to  men,  and  measures ;  but 
that  of  1860,  besides  opening  the  door  to  unrestrained 
Church-slavery,  by  removing  the  last  disciplinary  barrier  to 
its  existence — Romanizing  the  ritual  of  the  Church,  and 
favoring  some  other  worldly-wise  abominations  —  gave 
their  sanction,  and  virtually  pledged  their  patronage  and 
support,  to  "  New  School  Methodism."  An  epoch  indeed 
in  the  history  of  Methodism;  since  it  involves  nothing 
less  than  a  radical  change  in  the  system :  a  change  which 
supersedes  the  Methodism  of  Wesley — "Christianity  in 
earnest  " — and  replaces  it  witli  a  smooth,  formal,  fiishiona- 
ble  religion,  whose  very  insignia  and  watch«woi-d  is  popu- 
larity. 


228 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Yet  this  same  General  Conference  was  not  without  its 
use ;  the  hand  of  Providence  was  there ;  and  the  Confer- 
ence, corrupt  as  it  was,  i7icidentally  sent  forth  a  stream  of 
"living  waters" — a  mighty  river,  whose  waters  shall  roll 
on,  with  widening  banks  and  deepening  channel  and  swell- 
ing tide,  to  the  end  of  time.  The  so-called  "  Nazarites," 
who  never  thought  of  a  separate  existence  before,  now 
losing  all  hope  of  reconciliation  with  the  old  Church,  re- 
solved upon  an  independent  organization.  They  felt  they 
were  shut  out  from  all  sympathy  on  the  part  of  a  Church 
which  had  thrust  many  of  them  from  her  bosom — their 
leaders  in  particular — with  such  illegal  and  malignant  vio- 
lence ;  and  that  they  had  no  alternative  left  them  but  to 
provide  for  themselves. 

Long  did  an  insulted  Heaven  wait  for  the  return  of  the 
Old  Church  from  her  wanderings  ;  and  never  till  her  accu- 
mulated aboinitiations  had  taken  sanctuary  under  the  wing 
of  the  General  Conference,  ayid  the  shield  of  impmiity  had 
been  thrown  over  them  by  the  supreme  council  of  the  Church, 
did  either  God  or  the  Free  Methodists  forsake  her.  It  was 
under  these  circumstances,  that  the  Lord  called  his  op- 
pressed ones  out  of  bondage,  "  leading  them  in  the  right 
way,  that  they  might  go  to  a  city  of  habitation." 

It  is  not  pretended  that  there  are  no  living  Christians 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  We  are  happy  to 
recognize  a  considerable  number  among  the  members  gen- 
erally, and  here  and  there  one  among  the  preachers,  who 
evidently  enjoy  the  life  and  power  of  religion — though 
we  think  the  latter  exceedingly  scarce,  and  see  little  chance 
for  the  former  long  to  "  maintain  their  integrity."  But  it 
is  too  clear  that  the  Church  in  general— being  instigated 
to  courses  of  worldliness  and  folly  and  persecution  of  "the 
way  of  holiness,"  by  their  money-loving,  pleasure-taking, 
Avould-be-popular  leaders — are  incorrigibly  fallen ;  and 
that,  as  a  body,  God  has  cast  them  offi 


CHAPTER  XL 


Having  now  shown  the  occasion  there  was  for  the  form- 
ation of  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  and  the  circumstances 
under  which  she  was  called  into  being ;  we  shall  come 
more  directly  to  the  fact  of  her  organization,  already  pre- 
supposed or  implied,  and  the  consideration  of  her  peculiar 
economy  as  a  separate  and  independent  Christian  Church. 

As  it  relates  to  their  organization — which,  in  a  manner, 
they  were  compelled  to  go  into  at  the  time  they  did — the 
Rev.  Mr.  Phelps,  who  participated  with  them  in  the  move- 
ment, gives  the  following  brief  account: 

"  In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  last  Laymen's 
Convention,  a  Delegated  Convention  was  called  at  Pekin, 
Niagara  county,  N.  Y.,  August  23d,  1800,  to  confer  as  to 
the  best  mode  of  extending  the  work  which  God  had  so 
graciously  begun  among  them.  The  Convention  was 
called  to  order,  and  opened  with  devotional  exercises. — 
Isaac  M.  Chesbrough  of  Pekin,  was  elected  Chairman,  and 
Rev.  A.  A.  Phelps,  Secretary.  The  body,  duly  organized, 
was  composed  of  sixty  members — fifteen  preachers,  and 
forty-five  laymen.  Most  of  the  business  was  transacted 
on  the  camp-ground — a  spot  newly  consecrated  by  the 
outpouring  of  God's  Spirit  and  the  salvation  of  precious 
souls.  The  deliberations  of  the  Convention  resulted  in 
the  organization  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  and  the 
adoption  of  their  first  Discipline." 

The  same  account,  a  little  more  extended,  will  be  seen 
in  the  subjoined  preface  to  the  Discipline  aforesaid,  (edi- 
tion for  I860,)  as  follows: 

229 


230 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 
The  Free  Methodist  Church  had  its  origin  in  necessity 
and  not  in  choice.  It  did  not  grow  out  of  a  secession,  nor 
out  of  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  bring  about  a  reform  in 
the  government  of  the  Church.  Those  concerned  in  its 
formation  never  expected  a  separation  from  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  until  they  were  unjustly  excluded  from 
its  pale.  They  sought  redress  at  the  proper  tribunal.  It 
was  not  granted.  Even  a  candid  hearing  was  denied  them. 
Thus  thrown  out,  and  the  possibility  of  a  restoration  being 
cut  o&,  and  believing  that  God  still  called  them  to  labor 
for  the  salvation  of  souls,  they  had  no  alternative  but  to 
form  a  new  organization.  In  doctrine,  discipline,  and  spirit, 
they  were  Methodists,  and  hence  they  could  not  offer  them- 
selves to  any  other  organization. 

The  issue  on  which  they  were  thrust  out,  was  between 
dead  formalism  and  the  life  and  power  of  godliness,  and  so 
they  could  not  feel  at  home  with  those  branches  of  the 
Methodist  Family  into  whose  formation  other  questions 
mainly  entered. 

Jesus  has  always  had  a  people — a  plain,  humble,  earnest 
people — to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor,  and  to  spread 
scriptural  holiness  throughout  the  world.  We  believe  the 
Methodists  were  raised  up  for  this  purpose.  God  was  with 
them,  and  gave  them  great  success  in  saving  souls. 

But  as  they  grew  strong  and  wealthy,  pride,  and  a  love 
of  popularity,  crept  in  among  them.  The  Discipline  was 
too  generally  unheeded.  It  became  obvious  to  the  most 
casual  obseiver,  that  there  was,  among  many  of  the  min- 
isters and  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
*,he  United  States,  a  very  wide  and  growing  departure 
from  the  original  spirit  of  Methodism.  This  departure  is 
also  seen  in  the  alterations  that  have  been  recently  made 
m  tlie  Discipline. 

In  1852,  the  rule  requiiing  our  houses  of  worsliip  to  be 


FRSB  METHODIST  CHTJRCH. 


231 


built  "  plain,  and  with  free  seats,"  was  eifectually  neutral- 
ized by  adding  tiie  words,  "  wherever  practicable."  Con- 
formity to  the  world  was  greatly  encouraged  in  1856,  by 
repealing  the  law  which  had  stood  in  the  Discipline  from 
the  first,  forbidding  the  reception  of  members  until  they 
had  laid  off  "  supei-fluous  ornaments,"  and  substituting  a 
simple  exhortation  to  "  conform  to  the  spirit  of  the  apos- 
tolic precept " — as  though  plain  commands  of  God  could 
be  violated  without  violating  their  spirit. 

In  the  Genesee  Conference,  this  departure  from  the  old 
paths  was  hastened  by  the  connection  of  several  of  its 
prominent  members  with  secret  societies.  These,  bound 
together  by  a  tie  unknown  to  the  rest  of  the  body,  and 
laying  their  plans  in  the  strictest  secresy,  formed  a  solid 
nucleus,  around  which  the  formal  and  the  aspiring  natu- 
rally rallied.  A  portion  of  the  Conference  wished  to  ad- 
here to  primitive  Methodism.  They  loved  the  doctrine  of 
holiness,  and  preached  it  with  success.  Their  labors  were 
prospered,  and  their  services  were  sought  for.  While  they 
had  the  countenance  of  the  bishops,  they  were  unmolested. 

At  the  General  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  held  in 
1856,  the  bishops  took  a  decided  stand  against  the  enact- 
ment of  a  law  excluding  slave  holders  from  the  Church. 
The  secret-society,  worldly-policy  members  of  the  Genesee 
Conference,  some  of  whom  had  been  radical  abolitionists, 
sided  with  the  bishops  on  the  slavery  question.  At  its 
next  session,  thirty  of  them  combined  together  not  to  take 
work,  unless  Rev.  L.  Stiles,  and  Rev.  I.  C.  Kingsley — 
men  whose  sympathies  and  labors  were  for  the  promotion 
of  spiritual  religion — were  removed  from  the  cabinet. — 
They  were  transferred,  and  their  places  supplied  by  such 
men  as  the  thirty  (who,  with  their  adherents,  were  hence- 
forth known  as  "  Tlie  Regency,")  could  render  subservient 
to  their  purposes. 

But  the  work  of  holiness  went  on.    Dead  and  formal 


A    HISTORY  OF  THE 


ministers  were  in  no  better  demand  than  before.  At  the 
next  session  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  in  a  secret  meet- 
ing held  by  the  Regency,  they  voted  to  bring  Rev.  B.  T. 
Roberts  and  Rev.  ^V.  C.  Kendall  to  trial.  Charges  were 
preferred.  Mr.  Roberts  was  voted  guilty  of  "  immoral 
and  unchristian  conduct,"  for  publishing  in  the  Northern 
Independent,  in  an  article  entitled  "  New  School  Method- 
ism," things  that  were  not  in  that  article,  or  in  any  other 
tliat  he  ever  wrote. 

His  character  was  then  passed,  and  he  was  sent  out  to 
preach.  For  the  want  of  time,  Mr.  Kendall's  trial  was  de- 
ferred. At  the  next  Conference,  held  in  Perry  in  October, 
1858,  secret  meetings  of  the  Regency  were  held,  as  had 
been  done  at  the  two  preceding  sessions.  Mr.  Roberts 
was  charged  with  "  contumacy,"  for  ])ublishing  and  circu- 
lating a  second  edition  of  "  New  School  Methodism,"  and  a 
pamphlet  signed  by  "  Geo.  W.  Estes,"  which  gave  a  short 
account  of  the  trial  of  the  year  preceding.  On  this  charge, 
and  on  the  testimony  of  only  one  witness,  whose  veracity 
was  fully  impeached,  Mr.  Roberts  was  expelled  from  the 
Conference  and  from  the  M.  E.  Church.  Rev.  Joseph  Mc- 
Creery  was  also  expelled  at  the  same  time  on  the  same 
charges. 

Called  of  God  to  preach,  they  could  not  cease  because 
the  human  authority  with  which  they  had  been  invested 
was  thus  taken  away.  The  members  of  the  Church  who 
had  witnessed  their  labors  and  their  spirit,  thought  they 
should  still  endeavor  to  save  their  fellow-men.  One  hun- 
(li-ed  and  ninety-five  prominent  laymen  met  in  convention 
at  Albion,  December  1st,  1858,  and  passed  resolutions,  ex- 
pressing their  entire  and  unabated  confidence  in  the  ex- 
pelled preachers,  and  recommending  them  to  continue  to 
labor  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 

At  the  next  session  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  held  at 
Brockport  in  October,  1858,  Reverends  L.  Stiles,  C,  D. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


233 


Burlingham,  J.  A.  Wells,  and  W.  Cooley,  were  expelled 
for  "contumacy,"  in  sympathizing  with  those  Avho  had 
been  expelled  the  year  preceding.  Reverends  J.  W.  Red- 
dy  and  H.  H,  Farnsworth  were  located  for  the  same  cause. 

Members  of  the  Church,  who  manifested  an  active  sym- 
pathy with  the  expelled  preachers,  were  themselves  ex- 
pelled in  large  numbers.  Many  were,  without  their  con- 
sent, and  contrary  to  their  wishes,  read  out  by  the  preach- 
ers as  "  withdrawn."  Among  both  these  classes  were 
many  of  undoubted  piety,  and  of  long  standing  in  the 
Church,  who  had  contributed  largely,  by  their  influence, 
to  its  prosperity,  and  whose  love  for  it  was  unabated. 

Fifteen  hundred  members,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Gen- 
esee Conference,  respectfully  petitioned  the  General  Con- 
ference, at  its  session  in  Buffalo,  in  May,  1860,  to  investi- 
gate the  judicial  action  of  the  Genesee  Conference.  A 
committee  of  forty-two  was  appointed  for  this  purpose. — 
A  memorial,  setting  forth  the  grievances  complained  of, 
and  affidavits  and  documents  substantiating  the  complaints, 
were  presented.  A  determined  effort  to  get  the  commit- 
tee discharged  was  made  by  the  partisans  of  the  majority 
of  Genesee  Conference.  The  committee  was  discharged, 
and  investigation  loas  suppressed. 

The  appeal  cases  were  summarily  disposed  of  That  of 
the  Rev.  C.  D.  Burlingham — wlio,  from  tlie  time  of  his 
expulsion,  desisted  from  all  public  efforts  to  do  good  to 
the  souls  of  men — was,  without  the  shadow  of  reason, 
sent  back  for  a  new  trial.  Upon  the  first  appeal  of  Mr. 
Roberts — that  from  the  verdict  of  reproof — the  commit- 
tee stood  equally  divided.  The  other  appeals  were  not 
entertained,  though  the  constitution  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
declares,  in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  that  the  General 
Conference  shall  not  deprive  the  ministers  of  the  privilege 
of  appeal. 

The  same  General  Conference  autliorized  the  preachers 


234 


A  HIBTOUY  OF  THE 


to  go  beyond  the  bounds  of  their  charge  to  obtain  a  com- 
mittee to  try  their  members. 

Under  this  new  rule,  the  work  of  expulsion  went  on. — 
Pious  men,  long  known  for  their  strong  attachment  to 
Methodism,  who  were  too  conscientious  and  God-fearing 
to  give  their  sanction  to  what  they  believed  to  be  great 
iniquities,  were  excommunicated. 

Committees,  imported  from  a  distance  for  the  purpose, 
expelled,  after  the  mockery  of  a  trial,  devoted  men  of  God. 
All  hope  of  a  change  for  the  better  being  cut  oft",  and  it 
being  evident  that  the  authorities  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  were  determined  to  put  down  what  devout 
souls  believed  to  be  the  work  of  God,  a  convention  of  lay- 
men and  ministers  met  at  Pekin,  Niagara  county,  N.  Y., 
on  the  2 2d  of  August,  I860,  and  adopted  the  following 
form  of  Discipline. 

We  do  not  wish  any  to  subscribe  to  it  unlesss  they  be- 
lieve it  will  be  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of 
their  souls.  We  have  no  desire  to  get  up  simply  a  large 
Church  ;  but  we  hope  that  our  societies  will  be  composed, 
exclusively^  of  those  who  are  in  earnest  to  gain  heaven^  and 
who  are  determined,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  live  up  to  the 
requirements  of  the  Bible. 

Where  societies  already  organized  designe  to  unite  with 
the  Free  Methodist  Church,  we  recommend  that  they  adopt 
the  Discipline  as  a  whole  ;  and  then,  that  each  member  be 
admitted  in  his  individual  capacity,  as  provided  for  in  sec- 
tion third  of  chapter  first,  entitled,  "  Of  receiving  mem- 
bers into  the  Church." 

It  is  of  the  greatest  importance  that  those  who  come 
into  the  new  organization  be  of  one  heart  and  one  mind. 


It  appears  from  what  we  have  before  introduced  on  the 
Bubject,  that  the  Free  Metliodists  formed  themselves  into 
little,  independent  bands — or  churches,  if  you  please — 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUECH. 


235 


during  their  transition  state,  as  at  St.  Louis  and  Albion — 
the  indications  of  Providence  pointing  in  that  direction. 
Such  a  measure,  as  well  for  their  own  preservation  as  for 
the  advantages  it  afforded  them  in  the  work  of  saving  oth- 
ers, was,  for  the  time  being,  wisely  adopted.  But  no 
sooner  did  Methodism — which  they  had  long  been  accus- 
tomed to  cherish  and  follow  as  "  a  creature  of  Providence  " 
— look  towards  a  connectional  organization,  than  they  all 
went  into  it,  lay  and  clerical,  "  with  one  heart  and  with 
one  mind."  Henceforth,  therefore,  we  shall  treat  of  them, 
not  as  fragmentary,  isolated  groups — a  condition  they 
occupied  in  their  incipient  history — but  as  a  regularly  con- 
stituted Christian  Church,  united  together  in  one  body, 
and  laboring  for  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  God 
under  one  and  the  same  ecclesiastical  organization.  "  This 
is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes."  He 
alone  has  ushered  in  this  new  epocli  in  ecclesiastical  his- 
tory. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


We  are  now  prepared  to  enter  directly  upon  the  history 
of  the  Free  Methodist  Church  ;  the  foregoing  pages  hav- 
ing simply  paved  the  way  for  the  execution  of  this  part 
of  our  work.  The  history  of  our  young  Cluirch  direct, 
however,  must  necessarily  be  brief — as  she  is  yet  in  her 
infancy,  and  has  not  had  time  largely  to  develop  her  econ- 
omy, or  furnish  any  great  amount  of  historic  material. 

The  Discipline  adopted  at  her  organization  in  1860,  is 
precisely  the  same,  with  some  few  alterations  and  improve- 
ments, with  that  of  the  Episcopal  Methodists.  All,  there- 
fore, acquainted  with  the  Discipline  of  tlie  one,  must  have 
a  tolci-ably  correct  idea  of  that  of  the  other.  The  history 
of  the  two  bodies,  both  internal  and  external — taking  the 
Old  Church  as  she  used  to  be  once — is  essentially  the 
same ;  the  Free  Church  scarcely  differing  from  the  Epis- 
copal, except,  where  the  Episcopal  differs  from  her  former 
self. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten,  that  the  work  which  is  now 
being  carried  on  by  means  of  the  Free  Methodists,  is  none 
other  than  a  revival  of  the  Methodism  of  primitive  times 
— none  other  than  a  revival  of  pure,  primitive,  Wesleyan 
Methodism ;  and  that  the  history  of  the  doctrine,  disci- 
pline, and  general  economy  of  the  Old  Cliurcii  in  the  days 
of  her  uncorrupted  simplicity,  is  substantially  tlie  history 
of  the  new  organization  at  the  present  day.  Some  few 
changes  have  indeed  been  made,  which  we  shall  presently 
notice;  but,  "as  in  water,  face  answereth  to  face,"  so  the 
general  features  of  the  Old  Church  are  I'ellected  by  those 
of  the  New. 

236 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUKCH. 


237 


As  a  brief  outline  of  the  character  and  economy  of  our 
young  Church — the  Free  Methodist— the  following  tract, 
entitled  "  Free  Methodist  Church,"  may  well  be  introduced 
at  this  point : 

FREE  METHODIST  CHITRCH. 
The  Free  Methodist  Church  is  a  body  of  Christians  who 
profesB  to  be  in  earnest  to  get  to  Heaven.  They  do  not 
believe  that  either  God  or  the  Bible  has  changed  to  accom- 
modate the  fashionable  tendencies  of  the  age.  They  sol- 
emnly protest  against  the  union  of  the  Church  and  the 
world.  The  conditions  of  salvation*  as  they  teach,  are  the 
same  now  that  they  were  eighteen  hundred  years  ago. — 
He  who  would  be  a  Christian  in  reality,  as  well  as  in  name, 
must  deny  himself  and  take  up  his  cross  daily  and  follow 
Jesus.  He  must  come  out  from  the  world  and  be  separate, 
and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing. 

1.  In  doctrine  they  are  Methodists.  They  believe  in  the 
doctrine  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  in  a  general  atonement,  in 
the  necessity  of  the  new  birth,  in  the  witness  of  the  Spirit, 
and  in  future  rewards  and  punishments.  They  insist  that 
it  is  the  duty  and  the  privilege  of  every  believer  to  be 
sanctified  wholly,  and  to  be  preserved,  soul  and  body  and 
spirit,  blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Every  one  who  is  received  into  full  connection,  either  pro- 
fesses to  enjoy  that  perfect  love  which  casts  out  fear,  or 
promises  diligently  to  seek  until  he  obtains  it. 

2.  They  look  upon  practical  godliness  as  the  never-fail- 
ing result  of  a  genuine  religious  experience.  "  By  their 
fruits  ye  shall  know  them."  Hence  they  insist  that  those 
■who  profess  to  be  disciples  of  Christ,  should  come  out 
from  unbelievers  and  be  separate,  abstaining  from  connec- 
tion with  all  secret  societies,  renouncing  all  vain  pomp  and 
glory,  adorning  themselves  in  modest  apparel,  and  not  in 
gold  or  pearls,  or  costly  array.    We  iiave  no  right  toabol- 


238 


A  HISTORY   OF  THE 


ish  any  of  the  requirements  made  by  Christ  and  the  apos- 
tles, or  to  make  obedience  to  them  a  matter  of  small  con- 
eequence.  The  Golden  Rule,  they  hold,  applies  equally 
to  the  colored  as  to  the  white  race.  The  first  Free  Meth- 
odist Church  ever  organized  was  in  St.  Louis,  a  slave-hold- 
ing city,  and  at  a  time  when  slave-holders  were  freely  ad- 
mitted to  the  churches  generally.  Yet  they  made  non- 
slave-holding  a  test  of  membership,  prohibiting,  as  they 
have  ever  done,  "  the  buying,  selling,  or  holding  a  human 
being  as  a  slave." 

3.  The  government  is  not  aristocratic,  but  the  members 
all  have  an  equal  voice  with  the  ministers  in  all  the  councils 
of  the  Church.  Both  the  Annual  and  General  Conferences 
are  composed  of  as  many  lay  delegates  as  ministers,  who 
have  an  equal  voice  and  vote  in  all  the  proceedings.  The 
stationing  committee,  by  whom  the  appointments  are  made, 
is  composed  of  the  chairmen  of  the  districts  and  an  equal 
number  of  laymen  chosen  for  that  purpose.  The  official 
boards  are  selected  by  the  societies,  and  not  appointed  by 
the  preachers.  Instead  of  presiding  elders,  they  have 
chairmen  of  districts,  who  generally  have  a  circuit  the 
same  as  the  rest  of  the  preachers.  They  have  general  su- 
perintendents, elected  once  in  four  years,  whose  duty  it  is 
to  preside  at  the  Annual  Conferences,  and  travel  through 
the  connection  at  large.  The  rights  of  the  members  are 
carefully  guarded,  and  in  all  trials,  the  society,  and  not  the 
preacher,  selects  the  committee. 

4.  They  endeavor  to  promote  spirituality  and  simplicity 
in  worship.  Congregational  singing  is  universal,  and  per- 
formances upon  musical  instruments,  and  singing  by  choirs 
in  public  worship,  are  prohibited.  They  believe  in  the 
Holy  Ghost.  If  men  are  really  converted  and  sanctified, 
it  is  through  the  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  When  He 
works,  there  is  a  stir.  As  President  Edwards  says,  "  Eter- 
nal things  are  so  great,  and  of  such  vast  concern,  tliat 


FREE  METHODIST  CHUECH. 


239 


there  is  great  absurdity  in  men's  being  but  moderately 
moved  and  affected  by  them."  Where  the  Spirit  of  God 
is,  there  is  liberty.  The  Free  Metliodists,  while  they  do 
not  believe  in  any  mere  formal  noise,  yet,  when  the  Spirit 
comes  like  "  a  rushing  mighty  wind,"  as  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost,  they  do  not  dare  to  oppose  the  manifestations 
of  His  presence.  As  Edwards  says,  "  Whenever  there  is 
any  considerable  degree  of  the  Spirit's  influence  upon  a 
mixed  multitude,  it  will  produce,  some  way  or  other,  a 
great  visible  commotion."  To  resist  His  operations  is  to 
hinder  the  work  of  God. 

5.  They  do  not  believe  in  resorting  to  worldly  policy  to 
sustain  the  Gospel.  Christ  has  said,  that  Avhosoever  giv- 
eth  a  cup  of  cold  water  in  His  name,  shall  in  no  wise  lose 
his  reward.  But  it  is  the  motive,  and  not  the  amount  done, 
that  secures  the  Divine  approbation.  There  is  no  more 
virtue  in  giving  to  the  cause  of  God  for  the  sake  of  carnal 
pleasure,  than  there  is  in  any  other  purely  selfish  action. 
Hence,  they  give  no  countenance  to  modern  expedients  for 
promoting  Christianity,  such  as  selling  or  renting  pews, 
pic'nics,  Christmas  trees,  festivals,  lotteries,  fairs,  and  do- 
nation parties.  To  say  that  the  Church  cannot  be  sus- 
tained without  these  contrivances  to  beguile  the  world  into 
its  support,  is  to  confess  that  professing  Christians  are 
"  lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God."  It  is  to 
pronounce  Christianity  a  failure.  The  Gospel  possesses 
an  inherent  power  that  will  not  only  sustain  itself,  but 
make  its  way  through  all  opposition,  wherever  its  advocates 
live  up  to  its  requirements,  and  rely  upon  its  promises. 

6.  AH  their  Churches  are  required  to  be  free  as  the  grace 
they  preach.  They  believe  that  their  mission  is  two-fold 
— to  maintain  the  Bible  standard  of  Christianity — and  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor.  Hence  they  require  that 
all  seats  in  their  houses  of  worship  should  be  free. — 
No  pews  can  be  rented  or  sold  among  them.    The  "world 


240 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


will  never  become  converted  to  Christ,  so  long  as  the 
Churches  are  conducted  upon  the  exclusive  system.  It  has 
always  been  contrary  to  the  economy  of  the  Christian 
Church,  to  build  houses  of  worship  with  pews  to  sell  or 
rent.  But  the  spirit  of  the  world  has  encroached  by  little 
and  little,  until,  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States,  not  a 
single  free  church  can  be  found  in  any  of  the  cities  or 
larger  villages.  The  pew  system  generally  prevails  among 
all  denominations.  We  are  thoroughly  convinced  that 
this  system  is  wrong  in  principle,  and  bad  in  its  tendency. 
It  is  a  corruption  of  Christianity.  Free  churches  are  essen- 
tial to  reach  the  masses.  The  provisions  of  the  Gospel  are 
for  all.  The  "  glad  tidings  "  must  be  proclaimed  to  every 
individual  of  the  human  race.  God  sends  the  true  light 
to  illuminate  and  melt  every  heart.  It  visits  the  palace 
and  the  dungeon,  saluting  the  king  and  the  captive.  To 
civilized  and  savage,  bound  and  free,  black  and  white,  the 
ignorant  and  the  learned,  is  freely  offered  the  great  salva- 
tion. 

But  for  whose  benefit  are  special  efforts  to  be  put  forth  f 
Who  must  be  particularly  cared  for  ?  Jesus  settles  this 
question:  "The  blind  receive  their  sight,  and  the  lame 
walk;  the  lepers  are  cleansed,  and  the  deaf  hear;  the  dead 
are  raised  up,"  and,  as  if  all  this  would  be  insufficient  to 
satisfy  John  of  the  validity  of  his  claims,  he  adds,  "and 
the  poor  have  the  gospel  preached  to  them."  This  was 
the  crowning  proof  that  He  was  the  One  that  should  come. 
In  this  respect,  the  Church  must  follow  in  the  footsteps  of 
Jesus.  She  must  see  to  it,  that  the  gospel  is  preached  to 
the  poor.  Thus  the  duty  of  preaching  the  gospel  to  the 
poor  is  enjoined  by  the  plainest  precepts  and  examples. — 
If  the  gospel  is  to  be  preached  to  all,  then  it  follows,  as  a 
necessary  consequence,  that  all  the  arrangements  for  preach- 
ing the  gospel  should  be  so  made  as  to  secure  this  object. 
If  it  be  said  that  seats  would  be  freely  given  to  those  who 


FKEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


241 


are  unable  to  pay  for  them  ;  we  answer,  this  does  not  meet 
the  case.  But  few  are  willing,  so  long  as  they  are  able  to 
appear  at  Church,  to  be  publicly  treated  as  paupers. 

7.  The  Free  Methodist  Church  was  organized  in  the 
connectional  form  in  1860.  Prior  to  this,  a  church  had 
been  organized  in  St.  Louis.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Redfield  la- 
bored there  with  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  a  powerful  revival 
of  the  work  of  God  broke  out.  So  great  was  the  opposi- 
tion of  the  resident  pastor,  that  a  large  number  of  the 
members  and  converts  felt  obliged  to  leave.-  They  under- 
stood that  the  presiding  elder  would  organize  them  into  a 
separate  charge.  He  afterwards  refused  to  do  it.  They 
felt  that  they  could  not  go  back,  or  join  any  other  church  ; 
60  they  were  organized  into  an  independent  body.  Soon 
after,  a  church  was  organized  at  Albion  on  a  similar  plan. 
A  convention  was  held  at  Pekin,  N.  Y.,  in  the  fall  of  1860, 
when  the  present  Discipline,  in  substance,  was  adopted. 

In  the  fall  of  1870,  there  were,  according  to  the  official 
report  of  the  denomination,  129  preachers,  5,656  members, 
58  church  edifices,  and  church  property  valued  at  $234,700. 

The  Free  Methodist  Church  had  its  origin  in  necessity 
and  not  in  choice.  It  did  not  grow  out  of  a  secession,  nor 
out  of  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  bring  about  a  reform  in 
the  government  of  the  Church.  Those  concerned  in  its 
formation  never  expected  a  separation  from  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  until  they  were  unjustly  excluded  from 
its  pale.  They  sought  redress  at  the  proper  tribunal.  It 
•was  not  granted.  Even  a  candid  hearing  was  denied  them. 
Thus  thrown  out,  and  the  possibility  of  a  restoration  be- 
ing cut  off,  and  believing  that  God-still  called  them  to  la- 
bor for  the  salvation  of  souls,  they  had  no  alternative  but 
to  form  a  new  organization.  In  doctrine,  discipline,  and 
spirit,  they  were  Methodists,  and  hence  they  could  not  of- 
fer themselves  to  any  other  denomination. 

The  issue  on  which  they  were  thrust  out,  was  between 
11 


242 


A    niSTORY  OF  THE 


dead  formalism  and  the  life  and  power  of  godliness,  and  so 
they  could  not  feel  at  home  with  tliose  branches  of  the 
Methodist  family  into  whose  formation  other  questions 
mainly  entered. 


But  though  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Free  Method- 
ist Churches,  are  characterized  by  the  same  general  system 
of  doctrine  and  discipline,  as  before  stated  ;  yet  they  are 
Avide  apart  in  some  things,  particularly  of  a  practical  nature. 

First  :  they  diifer  in  their  creed,  or  "  Articles  of  Relig- 
ion ;  "  the  difference  evidently  redounding  to  the  advantage 
of  the  last-named  Chunih.  In  the  creed  of  the  Free  Meth- 
odist Church,  four  "  Articles  "  of  the  Old  Church  creed — 
the  14th,  19th,  21st  and  23d — are  very  properly  left  out ; 
and  two  others,  not  found  in  the  creed  of  the  Old  Church 
— the  one  on  "  entire  sanctification,"  and  the  other  on 
"  future  rewards  and  punishments" — are  added,  making 
twenty-three  in  all. 

As  the  M.  E.  Church  borrowed  her  "  Articles  of  Relig- 
ion," in  the  main,  from  the  Church  of  England,  which  had 
so  lately  broken  away  from  Romanism,  it  is  not  strange 
that  she  should  have  guarded  against  the  errors  of  Popery, 
in  imitation  of  the  mother-creed,  by  retaining  the  "  Arti- 
cles "  on  "  Purgatory,"  "  Works  of  Supererogation,"  the 
"  INIarriage  of  Ministers,"  and  the  like  ;  but  who  is  not  sur- 
prised that  she  should  have  omitted  to  introduce  the  doc- 
trine of  "entire  sanctification,"  and  of  "future  rewards 
and  punishments,"  which  she  has  always,  at  least  until 
lately,  deemed  fundamental?  These  doctrines,  so  clearly- 
taught  in  the  standards  of  the  Old  Church,  and  made  to 
enter  into  the  confession  of  her  ministers — the  former  es- 
pecially— upon  their  admission  into  full  connection,  the 
Free  Methodist  Church  have  most  appropriately  incorpo- 
rated into  her  creed — her  life  and  teaching  eminently  cor- 
rospoixling  thereto. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHTJRCH. 


243 


Secondly :  There  is  a  material  difference  between  the 
two  denominations,  with  respect  to  what  are  called  "  The 
General  Rules."  In  the  Discipline  of  the  Old  Church,  the 
"General  Rule"  on  slavery  is  preposterously  ambiguous: 
being  variously  construed  in  favor,  or  against  slave-hold- 
ing, according  to  the  various  parallels  of  latitude  covered 
by  the  Church — thus  adapting  itself  to  all  sections  of  the 
country.  This  character  was  evidently  impressed  upon 
the  "Rule  "  as  a  sort  of  compromise — allowing  the  South- 
ern portion  of  the  Church  to  hold  their  fellow-creatures  in 
bondage  under  the  sanction  of  her  own  legislative  enact- 
ments, and  pacifying  the  brethren  of  the  North,  at  the 
same  time,  with  the  idea  that  they  had  an  anti-slavery  Dis- 
cipline, and  Avould  soon  be  rid  of  "  the  great  evil  of  slave- 
ry" altogether. 

Whether  this  miserable  ambiguity  in  the  "  Rule "  on 
slavery  was  originally  designed,  or  not,  it  has  been  design- 
edly perpetuated  among  us — the  General  Conference  stead- 
ily refusing  to  alter  the  rule,  or  give  any  autlioritative  ex- 
planation of  it.  Doubtless  it  has  all-along  been  the  poli- 
cy of  the  ruling  authorities  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  to  main- 
tain "  the  peculiar  institution,"  under  the  hollow-hearted 
pretext  of  deploring  its  existence ;  and  more  fully  to  se- 
cure the  object  of  their  hypocritical  double-dealing,  a  dis- 
tinct chapter  must  be  introduced  into  the  Discipline,  pro- 
viding for  and  regulating  the  evil — these  pious  law- makers 
professing  a  desire  for  its  speedy  extirpation  at  the  same 
time,  and  inquiring,  as  if  they  did  not  know,  forsooth,  what 
should  be  done  to  bring  it  about.  After  all,  though  God 
Almighty  has  undertaken  the  business — having  abolished 
the  hoary  abomination  throughout  the  country  with  the 
edge  of  the  sword,  which  her  determination  to  perpetuate 
the  evil  compelled  Him  to  employ  for  that  purpose — still, 
the  unchanged  "General  Rule,"  and  the  supplementary 
chapter  on  the  subject,  fritted  down  to  an  equivocal  ad- 


244 


A  HISTORY  or  THB 


visory  admonition,  are  found  upon  the  pages  of  her  Btat- 
ute-book. 

But  no  recognition  of  the  right  of  one  man  to  own  prop- 
erty in  another,  has  been  allowed  to  disgrace  the  Disci- 
pline of  the  Free  Methodist  Church.  The  chapter  on 
slavery  has  been  left  out  altogether,  as  she  had  no  occasion 
for  any  law  by  which  to  regulate  an  institution  or  practice 
she  utterly  repudiated ;  and  the  "  General  Rule,"  unlike 
that  in  the  Discipline  of  the  Old  Church,  is  made  prohib- 
itory of  slave- holding,  as  well  as  of  the  "  buying  and  sell- 
ing of  slaves,"  and  indeed  of  everything  in  the  shape  of 
human  bondage.  The  "  Rule,"  as  adopted  by  the  Free 
Church,  ia  too  full  and  explicit  in  language  to  be  evaded 
in  any  way;  and  is,  in  fine,  as  it  was  intended  to  be,  the 
yery  synonym  of  anti-slaveryism  in  all  its  moods  and  tenses. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Many  of  the  "  Rules  and  Regulations "  of  the  Jb'ree 
Methodists  are  none  other  than  those  of  the  Old  Church 
restored  to  their  original  form.  With  respect  to  these 
especially,  the  Free  Church  differs  from  the  old  denomina- 
tion only  as  she  differs  from  her  former  character ;  and 
such  difference,  it  must  be  confessed,  though  branded  as 
schismatic  and  revolutionary  by  the  last-named  Church,  is 
essentially  pacific  and  reformatory  in  its  nature — a  differ- 
ence which  conscience,  and  the  certainly  of  more  exten- 
sive usefulness  thereby,  demanded  for  the  new  organiza- 
tion. 

Among  the  "  Regulations  "  in  question,  the  free-seat  sys- 
tem occupies  a  place  of  unusual  prominence,  and  shall  be 
first  considered. 

The  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  down 
to  1852,  peremptorily  forbade  the  selling  or  renting  of 
seats  in  any  of  her  houses  of  worship ;  the  practice,  pre- 
vious to  that  time,  was  scarcely  known  among  us.  True, 
it  had  been  gradually  creeping  into  New  England  and 
New  York  for  some  little  time  before,  thougli  in  palpable 
violation  of  a  positive  rule  on  the  subject ;  and  the  exper- 
iment had  been  attempted  in  one  of  the  churches  of  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio.  But  the  great  body  of  tl\e  Church,  preacli- 
ers  and  people,  were  opposed  to  such  innovation  upon  a 
usage  which  had  existed  and  been  so  signally  owned  of 
God,  especially  as  it  related  to  the  poor,  from  the  begin- 
ning ;  and  it  would  have  been  nipped  in  the  bud,  but  for 
a  compromise  with  slavery — the  South,  tliough  mortally 
245 


246 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


opposed  to  pewed  Churches,  informally  pledging  them- 
selves to  connive  at  their  existence,  "  if  the  North  would 
only  just  let  slavery  alone."  This  compromise  with  "  the 
sum  of  all  villanies,"  and  source  of  all  mischief,  informally 
negotiated  between  the  Northern  and  Southern  portions 
of  the  Church  in  General  Conference  assembled,  resulted 
in  opening  the  door  at  the  Conference  of  1852  for  the  vir- 
tual abrogation  of  the  free-seat  system. 

The  "  Rule,"  as  it  originally  stood  in  the  Old  Church 
Discipline,  read  as  follows  :  "  Let  all  our  chui-ches  be 
built  plain  and  decent,  and  with  free  seats ;  but  not  more 
expensive  than  is  absolutely  unavoidable;  otherwise  the 
necessity  of  raising  money  will  make  rich  men  necessary 
to  us.  But  if  so,  we  must  be  dependent  on  them,  yea, 
and  governed  by  them.  And  then  farewell  to  Methodist 
discipline,  if  not  doctrine  too."  But  in  1852,  as  above 
mentioned,  the  restriction  in  regard  to  free  seats  was  taken 
off;  and  the  consequence  was,  the  evil  foreseen  in  such  an 
event  has  come  upon  us — both  the  discipline  and  doctrine 
of  distinctive  Methodism  have  fallen  into  disuse. 

This  same  free-seat  system,  however,  so  essential  to  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  Avas  not  to 
be  spared  from  the  instrumentalities  in  use  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  world.  For  though  a  Church,  with  whom  soul- 
saving  had  become  secondary  to  the  aspirations  of  pride 
and  popularity,  could  well  enough  dispense  with  it  in  her 
downward  career;  still,  it  was  not  to  be  lost  to  the  great 
cause  of  evangelization.  The  Free  Methodists  have  had 
the  wisdom  and  the  piety  to  restore  it  to  its  original  form 
and  efficiency,  and  to  throw  around  it,  as  a  guarantee  of 
its  integrity  for  the  future,  one  of  the  restrictive  rules  of 
her  Discipline.  Scarcely  can  the  adaptation  of  this  sys- 
tem to  promote  the  cause  of  religion,  particularly  among 
the  lower  classes,  be  over-rated.  We  might  say  much  in 
its  favor,  pointing  to  various  incidents  and  facts  illustrative 


PREB  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


of  its  great  comparative  utility:  but  we  shall  content  our- 
selves by  introducing  the  following  article  on  the  subject 
fi-om  the  Earnest  Christian  : 

"FREE  CHURCHES. 

"  BY  THE  EDITOR. 

"  Mankind  need  nothing  so  much,  as  the  universal  prev- 
alence of  the  Christian  religion,  in  its  purity.  This  would 
allay  the  evils  under  which  humanity  is  groaning,  by  re- 
moving their  cause.  It  would  bring  Paradise  back  to 
earth.  For  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  there 
is  no  substitute.  He  who  enjoys  them,  in  tlieir  fullness, 
has  all  he  needs  to  make  him  happy.  lu  their  absence, 
man  is  '  wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and 
naked.' 

"  Things,  trifling  in  themselves,  become  imj)ortant  when 
they  aiiect  the  accomplishment  of  some  great,  beneficent 
enterprise.  A  glass  of  wine  overtlirew  the  Orleans  dy- 
nasty, resulted  in  the  horrors  of  civil  war,  and  deluged 
France  with  the  best  blood  of  her  children.  A  passing 
cloud  suggested  to  Franklin  the  theory  of  electricity,  and 
led  to  the  transmission  of  messages  upon  the  swift  wing 
of  the  trained  lightning.  A  small  file  may  render  worth- 
less the  heaviest  piece  of  artillery,  and  decide  the  battle 
on  which  the  fate  of  nations  is  suspended. 

"  The  question  of  free  churches  derives  its  importance 
from  its  influence  upon  the  purity  and  the  progress  of 
Christianity.  It  has  a  greater  bearing  upon  both,  than 
many  imagine.  The  world  will  never  become  converted 
to  Christ,  so  long  as  the  Churches  are  conducted  upon  the 
exclusive  system.  It  has  always  been  contrary  to  the 
economy  of  the  Methodist  Church,  to  build  houses  of  wor- 
ship with  pews  to  sell  or  rent.  But  the  spirit  of  the  world 
has  encroached  upon  us  by  little,  and  little,  until  in  many 
parts  of  the  United  States,  not  a  single  free  church  can  be 


248 


A  HISTORY  OP  THB 


found  in  any  of  the  cities  or  larger  villages.  The  pew 
system  generally  obtains  among  all  denominations.  We 
are  thoroughly  convinced  that  this  system  is  wrong  in 
principle,  and  bad  in  its  tendency.  It  is  a  corruption  of 
Christianity.  This  we  propose  to  show.  "We  claim  the 
indulgence  of  expressing  ourselves  strongly.  We  cannot 
adopt  the  cautious  language  of  doubt,  for  we  have  no  mis- 
givings. We  do  not  believe  merely  that  there  should  be 
free  churches,  but  that  all  churches  should  be  free.  Not 
merely  that  some  unmarketable  seats  should  not  be  rented 
or  sold  but  that  no  seat  in  the  House  of  God  should  be 
rented  or  sold.  Respected  readers,  we  ask  your  candid 
attention  to  the  arguments  that  may  be  presented  in  these 
pages.  Weigh  them  well.  You  may  have  given  your 
countenance  to  the  pew  system,  as  many  liave,  simply  be- 
cause you  found  it  in  practice.  If  you  have  thought  upon 
the  question  at  all,  you  may  have  regarded  it  merely  aa 
one  of  expediency.  We  hope  to  show  that  the  pew  sys- 
tem is  both  inexpedient  and  wrong.  We  design  to  prove 
that  our  houses  of  worship  should  be,  like  the  grace  we 
preach,  and  the  air  we  breathe,  free  to  all. 

"  Free  Churches  are  essential  to  reach  the  masses. 

"  The  wealth  of  the  world  is  in  the  hands  of  a  few.  In 
every  country  the  poor  abound.  The  most  prudent  are 
liable  to  misfortunes.  Sickness  may  consume  the  earnings 
of  the  industrious.  Death  may  take  from  the  helpless 
wife,  and  dependent  children,  the  heart  that  loved  and  the 
hand  that  filled  the  house  with  plenty.  Man  is  depraved. 
Sin  has  diflTused  itself  everywhere,  often  causing  poverty 
and  suffering. 

"  God  assured  his  ancient  people,  favored  above  all  oth- 
ers with  precautions  against  want,  that  '  the  poor  shall 
never  cease  out  of  the  land.'  These  are  the  ones  upon 
whom  the  ills  of  life  fall  with  crushing  weight.  Extortion 
wrings  from  them  their  scanty  pittance.    The  law  may 


FRBB  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


249 


endeavor  to  protect  them  ;  but  they  are  without  the  means 
to  obtain  redress  at  her  courts.  If  famine  visits  the  land, 
she  comes  unbidden  to  tlieir  table,  and  remains  their  guest 
until  they  are  consumed. 

"The  provisions  of  the  Gospel  are  for  all.  The  'glad 
tidings '  must  be  proclaimed  to  every  individual  of  the  hu- 
man race.  God  sends  the  true  light  to  illuminate  and 
melt  every  heart.  It  visits  the  palace  and  the  dungeon, 
saluting  the  king  and  the  captive.  To  civilized  and  savage, 
bond  and  free,  black  and  white,  the  ignorant  and  the  learned, 
is  freely  offered  the  great  salvation. 

"  But  for  whose  benefit  are  sjyecial  efforts  to  be  putfortJi  ? 
Who  must  be  2^('-'>'ticularli/  cared  for?  Jesus  settles  this 
question.  He  leaves  no  room  for  cavil.  When  John  sent 
to  know  who  he  was,  Christ  charged  the  messengers  to  re- 
turn and  show  .John  the  things  which  they  had  seen  and 
heard.  '  The  blind  receive  their  sight,  and  the  lame  walk ; 
the  lepers  are  cleansed,  and  the  deaf  hear ;  the  dead  are 
raised  up,'  and,  as  if  all  this  would  be  insufficient  to  sat- 
isfy John  of  the  validity  of  his  claims,  he  adds,  '  and 
the  poor  have  the  gospel  preached  to  them.'  This 
was  the  crowning  proof  that  He  was  the  One  that  should 
come.  It  does  not  appear  that  after  this,  John  ever  had 
any  doubts  of  the  Messiahship  of  Christ.  He  that  thus  ■ 
cared  for  the  poor  must  be  from  God. 

"In  this  respect,  the  Church  must  follow  in  the  footsteps 
of  Jesus.  She  must  see  to  it,  that  the  gospel  is  preached' 
to  the  ))Oor.  With  them,  peculiar  pains  must  be  taken. — 
Tlie  message  of  the  minister  must  be  adapted  to  their 
wants  and  condition.  The  greatest  trophies  of  saving 
grace  must  be  sought  among  them.  This  was  the  view 
taken  by  the  first  heralds  of  the  cross.  Paul  wrote  to  the 
Corinthians,  '  for  ye  see  your  callnig,  brethren,  liow  that 
not  many  wise  men  after  the  tlesh,  not  many  mighty,  not 
many  noble,  are  called.  But  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish 
11* 


250 


A  HISTORY   OF  THE 


things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise  ;  and  God  hath 
chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  things 
which  are  mighty  ;  and  base  things  of  the  world,  and 
things  which  are  despised,  hath  God  chosen,  yea,  and 
things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to  nought  things  that  arc : 
that  no  flesh  shall  glory  in  his  presence.' 

"  Similar  statements  in  regard  to  the  rich  are  not  to  be 
found  in  the  Bible.  On  the  contrary,  the  Apostle  James 
asks  the  brethren,  '  Do  not  rich  men  oppress  you,  and  draw 
you  before  the  judgment-seats?  Do  not  they  blaspheme 
that  worthy  name  by  which  ye  are  called  ? '  He  also  refers 
to  it,  as  an  undeniable  fact,  that  the  poor  are  elected  to 
special  privileges  under  the  gospel  dispensation.  '  Hearken, 
my  beloved  brethren :  hath  not  God  chosen  the  poor  of 
this  world,  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  kingdom  which 
He  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him?' 

"  Thus  the  duty  of  preaching  the  gospel  to  the  poor  is 
enjoined  by  the  plainest  precepts  and  examples.  This  is 
the  standing  proof  of  the  Divine  mission  of  the  Church. 
In  her  regard  for  the  poor,  Christianity  asserts  her  superi- 
ority to  all  systems  of  human  origin.  The  pride  of  man 
regards  most  the  mere  accidents  of  humanity ;  but  God 
passes  by  these,  and  looks  at  that  which  is  alone  essential 
and  imperishable.  In  his  sight,  position,  power,  and  wealth, 
are  the  merest  trifles.  They  do  not  add  to  the  value  or 
dignity  of  the  possessor.  God  has  magnified  man  by  ma- 
"king  him  free  and  immortal.  Like  a  good  father,  he  pro- 
rides  for  all  his  family,  but  in  a  special  manner  for  the 
largest  number,  and  the  most  destitute.  He  takes  the 
most  pains  with  those  that  by  others  are  most  neglected. 

"  Hence,  as  that  great,  good  man,  Dr.  Olin,  says :  '  The 
gospel  is  preached  to  the  poor — to  the  masses.  It  is  made 
for  them  ;  it  suits  them.  Is  it  not  for  the  rich,  for  the  cul- 
tivated, the  intellectual  ?  Not  as  such.  They  must  be- 
come as  the  poor,  as  little  children,  as  fools.    They  must 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH.  251 

come  down  to  the  common  platform.  They  must  be  saved 
just  like  so  many  plowmen,  or  common  day-laborers.  They 
must  feel  themselves  sinners,  must  repent,  trust  in  Christ, 
like  beggars,  like  publicans.  Sometimes  we  hear  men 
prate  about  preaching  that  may  do  for  common  people, 
while  it  is  good  for  nothing  for  the  refined,  and  the  edu- 
cated. This  is  a  damning  heresy.  It  is  a  ruinous  delusion. 
All  breathe  the  same  air.  AH  are  of  one  blood.  All  die. 
There  is  precisely  one  gospel  for  all ;  and  that  is  the  gos- 
pel that  the  poor  have  preached  to  them.  The  poor  are 
the  favored  ones.  They  are  not  called  up.  The  great  are 
called  down.  They  may  dress,  and  feed,  and  ride,  and 
live  in  ways  of  their  own  choosing ;  but  as  to  getting  to 
heaven,  there  is  only  God's  way — the  way  of  the  poor. — 
They  may  fare  sumptuously  every  day,  but  there  is  only 
one  sort  of  manna. 

"'That  t«  the  gospel  which  is  effectually  preached  to 
the  poor,  and  which  converts  the  people.  The  result  shows 
it.  It  has  demonstration  in  its  fruits.  A  great  many 
things  held,  and  preached,  may  be  above  the  common  mind. 
— intricate — requiring  logic  and  grasp  of  mind  to  embrace 
them.  They  may  be  true,  important,  but  they  are  not  the 
gospel,  nor  its  vital,  central  truths.  Take  them  away,  and 
the  gospel  will  remain.  Add  them,  and  you  do  not  help 
the  gospel.  That  is  preached  to  the  poor.  Common  peo- 
ple can  understand  it.  This  is  a  good  test.  All  the  rest 
is,  at  least,  not  essential. 

"  '  There  are  hot  controversies  about  the  true  Church. 
What  constitutes  it,  what  is  essential  to  it,  what  vitiates 
it?  These  may  be  important  questions,  but  there  are 
more  important  ones.  It  may  be  that  there  cannot  be  a 
Church  without  a  bishop,  or  that  there  can.  There  can 
be  none  without  a  gospel,  and  a  gospel  for  the  poor.  Does 
a  Church  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor — preach  it  effect- 
ively ?    Does  it  convert  and  sanctify  the  people  ?    Are  its 


252 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


preaching,  its  forms,  its  doctrines,  adapted  specially  to 
these  results  ?  If  not,  we  need  not  take  the  trouble  of 
asking  any  more  questions  about  it.  It  has  missed  the 
main  matter.  It  does  not  do  what  Jesus  did — what  the 
Apostles  did.  Is  there  a  Cliurch,  a  ministry,  that  converts, 
reforms,  sanctifies  the  people  ?  Do  the  poor  really  learn 
to  love  Christ  ?  t)o  they  live  purely,  and  die  happy  ?  I 
hope  that  Church  conforms  to  the  New  Testament  in  its 
government  and  forms,  as  far  as  may  be,  I  trust  it  has 
nothing  anti-republican,  or  schismatic,  or  disorderly,  in  its 
fundamental  principles  and  policy.  I  wish  its  ministers 
may  be  men  of  the  best  training,  and  eloquent.  I  hope 
they  worship  in  goodly  temples,  and  all  that;  but  I  can- 
not think  or  talk  gravely  about  these  matters  on  the  Sab- 
bath. They  preach  a  saving  gospel  to  the  poor,  and  that 
is  enough.  It  is  an  Apostolic  Church.  Christ  is  the  cor- 
ner stone.    The  main  thing  is  secured — thank  God  ! ' 

"  If  the  gospel  is  to  be  preached  to  the  poor,  then  it  fol- 
lows, as  a  necessary  consequence,  that  all  the  arrangements 
for  preaching  the  gospel  should  be  so  made  as  to  secure 
this  object.  There  must  not  be  a  mere  incidental  provis- 
ion for  having  the  poor  hear  the  gospel ;  this  is  the  main 
thing  to  be  looked  after, 

"  There  is  a  feeling  of  independence  in  man  that  prompts 
him  not  to  go  where  he  fears  he  shall  be  regarded  as  an 
intruder.  This  is  especially  true  of  our  American  people. 
They  will  not  accept  as  a  gratuity  what  others  claim  as  a 
right.  Their  poverty  does  not  lessen  their  self-respect. — 
Let  them  be  treated  at  a  social  visit  as  objects  of  charity, 
rather  than  equals,  and  they  will  not  be  very  likely  to  re- 
peat it.  Hence,  houses  of  worship  should  be,  not  like  the 
first-class  car  on  a  European  railway,  for  the  exclusive  ; 
but,  like  the  streets  we  walk,  free  for  all.  Their  portals 
Bhould  be  opened  as  wide  for  the  common  laborer,  or  the 
indigent  widow,  as  for  the  assuming,  or  wealthy.    All  who 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


253 


behave  themselves  in  a  becoming  manner,  sliould  feel  at  per- 
fect liberty  to  attend  on  all  occasions  of  public  worship. 

"  The  requirement  of  the  gospel  is  not  met  by  setting 
apart  a  certain  number  of  free  seats  for  those  who  are  too 
poor,  or  too  indifferent,  to  rent  or  purchase.  As  Bishop 
Morris  says,  '  We  know  it  is  the  custom  in  many  pewed 
chapels,  to  leave  certain  seats  free  for  the  accommodation 
of  such  as  cannot  buy  or  rent ;  but  it  seems  to  answer  al- 
most no  purpose,  except  to  give  offense.  Who  is  willing, 
thus  publicly,  to  advertise  his  poverty  or  misfortunes — his 
want  of  ability  or  inclination  to  afford  himself  a  place  in 
the  church — by  taking  the  "  poor  seats  "  ?  Such  humility 
is  not  to  be  expected  in  those  who  need  the  instruction  of 
the  gospel  most.  Besides,  to  require  it,  is  not  only  un- 
charitable and  unwise,  but  unscriptural.' 

"  If  it  be  said  that  seats  would  be  freely  given  to  those 
who  are  unable  to  pay  for  them,  we  answer,  this  does  not 
meet  the  case.  But  few  are  willing,  so  long  as  they  are 
able  to  appear  at  church,  to  be  publicly  treated  as  paupers. 
Neither  is  it  true,  as  is  sometimes  assumed,  that  those  who 
are  too  poor,  or  too  indifferent  to  religion,  to  pay  for  a  seat 
in  the  House  of  God,  would  not  be  likely  to  be  benefited 
by  its  ordinances.  Had  not  such  persons  been  reached, 
the  conquests  of  the  gospel  would  have  been  limited  in- 
deed. Christianity  would  have  died  out  long  ago.  The 
greatest  number  of  her  adherents,  and  the  ablest  champi- 
ons that  ever  stood  up  in  her  defense,  were  of  this  class. 

"  The  pew  system,  wherever  it  prevails,  not  only  keeps 
the  masses  from  attending  church,  but  alienates  them,  in 
a  great  degree,  from  Christianity  itself  They  look  upon 
it  as  an  institution  for  the  genteel,  and  the  fashionable ; 
and  upon  Chi-istians  as  a  proud  and  exclusive  class.  '  When 
I  came  to  this  city,'  said  a  respectable  mechanic,  '  I  was  a 
member  of  a  Christian  church.  I  rented  a  seat,  and  at- 
tended worship  regularly.    But  I  found  that  I  could  not 


254 


A   HISTOUY   OF  THE 


hire  a  seat  and  attend  clnircli  at  an  expense  of  less  than 
fifty  dollars  a-ycar,  without  having  my  family  looked  down 
upon  with  contempt.  This  expense  I  could  not  afford  ;  so 
we  do  not  any  longer  attend  religious  meetings.'  His  ex- 
perience is  that  of  multitudes.  Many  who,  on  going  to 
the  cities,  are  favorably  inclined  to  religion,  finding  them- 
selves virtually  excluded  from  the  churches,  become  at 
first  indifferent,  and  then  ready  to  drink  in  any  error  that 
comes  along.  Hence  the  ease  with  which  the  advocates 
of  Millerism  and  Spiritualism  have  found  hearers  and  con- 
verts. 

"  Perhaps  no  part  of  our  country  has  greater  religious 
advantages  than  New  England.  In  some  portions,  laws 
formerly  existed,  requiring,  under  penalty,  attendance  up- 
on church.  A  habit  of  church-going  was  formed.  The 
influence  of  the  immigration  of  foreigners  is  less  there 
than  in  any  other  section  of  the  Union.  There  the  pew- 
system  was  first  introduced.  There  it  almost  universally 
prevails.  What  is  the  result  ?  Says  the  report  on  Home 
Missions,  presented  to  the  Massachusetts  General  Associa. 
tion,  1858:  'From  reliable  statistics,  it  appears  that  in 
Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  and  Massachusetts,  not 
more  than  one-quarter  of  the  population  are  in  the  habit 
of  attending  church.  There  are  one  million  three  hundred 
thousand  people  in  'New  England,  who,  as  far  as  attending 
church  is  concerned,  are  practically  like  the  heathen.' 

"  Says  the  Rev.  Edward  Stuart,  a  clergyman  in  London  : 
*  The  pew  system,  which  has  introduced  so  unchristian  a 
distinction  in  the  House  of  God,  between  the  sittings  of 
the  rich  and  the  poor,  is,  there  can  be  no  doubt,  doing 
more  to  alienate  the  hearts  of  tens  of  thousands  in  every 
large  town  in  England  from  the  Church  of  Christ,  than 
any  other  thing  that  could  be  named.'  He  tells  us  that 
the  large  churches  in  London  are  filled  almost  exclu- 
Bively  with  the  rich,  and  adds,  '  In  some  cases  it  is  all  but 


FUEE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


255 


impossible  for  a  poor  man  to  find  a  place  in  the  House  of 
Christ — of  Christ,  who  himself,  lived  all  his  life  among 
the  poor.'  The  editor  of  the  English  Guardian  remarks 
that  the  system  of  pews  '  has  eaten,  and  is  eating,  the  very 
life  out  of  the  Church.' 

"Take  a  city  nearer  home.  Says  the  Buffalo  Christian 
Advocate:  '  We  have  in  Buffalo  about  forty  Protestant 
churches.  These  reach,  and  influence,  more  or  less,  about 
^  twenty  thousand  of  our  eighty  thousand  people.  This 
leaves  sixty  thousand  either  unprovided  for,  or  to  Catholic 
influence.  It  may  be  safe  to  calculate  that  forty  thousand 
of  our  inhabitants  attend  no  place  of  worship  whatever.' 

"  Friends  of  Jesus,  we  call  upon  you  to  take  this  matter 
into  serious  consideration.  The  gospel  is  committed  to 
your  trust.  Tour  business  is  to  save  souls — first  your 
own,  then  the  souls  of  others.  Tou  are  to  dig  for  rough 
diamonds  amid  the  ruins  of  fallen  humanity,  and  polish 
them  up  for  jewels  in  the  crown  of  your  Redeemer.  The 
church  edifice  is  your  workshop.  Do  not,  we  beseech  you, 
convert  it  into  a  show-room,  to  display,  not  the  graces  of 
Christians,  but  the  vain  fashions  of  the  world. 

"  Politicians  teach  us  an  important  lesson.  How  do  they 
reach  the  masses  ?  The  places  for  their  public  gatherings, 
often  rough  and  uncomfortable,  are  always  free.  The  rich 
and  poor  associate  as  equals.  What  party  could  long  sur- 
vive, should  they  build  splendid  temples  for  the  propaga- 
tion of  their  principles,  and  then  sell,  at  a  high  rate,  the 
right  of  occupancy  of  their  seats  ?  It  is  no  feeble 
proof  of  the  Divine  origin  of  Christianity,  that  it  has  been 
able  to  survive  a  practice  so  absurd.  But  it  can  never 
spread  with  the  rapidity  with  which  we  are  authorized — 
from  its  sublime  doctrines,  affecting  man's  highest  inter- 
ests for  time  and  for  eternity ;  from  the  beneficent  influ- 
ence it  ever  exerts  upon  society,  and  from  the  gracious, 
efficacious  assistance  which  God  has  promised  to  those 


256 


A  HISTORY  OF  THK 


wlio  labor,  as  He  directs,  for  its  promotion — to  expect  it 
should,  until  all  of  its  houses  of  worship  are  free." 

Another  "  regulation,"  abandoned  by  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  restored  by  the  Free  Methodists,  has  respect  to  instru- 
mental music.  We  are  not  aware  that  the  Old  Church 
ever  excluded  the  use  of  instruments  from  the  worship  of 
God  by  any  particular  rule  of  Discipline ;  but  such  had 
never  been  her  usage,  as  the  almost  universal  sentiment  of 
her  people  were  adverse  to  it,  and  the  General  Conference 
had  more  than  once  discountenanced  the  practice  by  an 
advisory  resolution,  which  now  stands  upon  her  Journal. 
Such  helps,  or  hindrances  rather,  in  the  music  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, are  absolutely  forbidden  in  the  Discipline  of  the 
Free  Methodist  denomination,  who  esteem  it  a  delight,  as 
a  duty,  to  keep  to  the  old  "  land-marks  "  on  this  important 
subject.  Their  reasons,  in  general,  for  excluding  instru- 
mental music  from  the  house  of  God,  may  be  seen  in  the 
subjoined  letter,  published  and  endorsed  by  tlie  Earnest 
Christian,  of  January,  1864.  The  letter  will  speak  for  it- 
self, as  to  the  occasion  that  called  it  forth,  and  the  circum- 
stances under  which  it  was  written. 

"Dear  Brethren: — As  I  am  about  to  address  you  on 
a  subject  of  deep  and  lasting  interest  to  the  Church  of 
Christ ;  and  one,  too,  which,  under  the  circumstances,  in- 
volves considerations  of  the  most  delicate  nature ;  I  dare 
not  proceed  in  the  undertaking  without  lifting  my  heart 
to  Him,  '  whose  we  are  and  whom  we  serve,'  that  He 
would  vouchsafe  two  things — first,  that  I  may  write,  and 
secondly,  that  you  may  read  this  epistle,  in  the  spirit  of 
Christ. 

"The  subject  to  which  I  allude  is  the  setting  up  an  or- 
gan of  music  in  your  new  chui-ch.  And  who  can  say,  in 
almost  any  view  of  this  subject,  that  it  is  not  one  of  deep 
and  lasting  interest  to  the  Church  of  Christ — especially 


FREE  BIKTIIODIST  CHURCD. 


257 


that  branch  of  it  which  holds  Melliodism  and  Christianity 
to  be  one  and  tl)o  same  thiiitj?  When  the  intelligence  of 
this  thinij  came  to  my  cars,  it  gave  me  a  shock  I  had  not 
often  fell.  There  was  no  redeeming  circumstance  from 
which  I  could  derive  any  relief  The  thing  had  been  done  ; 
it  had  been  done  by  men  of  piety — by  men  of  influence 
— by  men  I  had  esteemed  almost  beyond  any  others  of 
my  acquaintance.  Indeed,  it  had  been  done  by  men  who 
were  the  very  last  I  should  have  suspected  of  such  a  thing 
in  all  the  district  !    I  felt, — I  prayed, — I  wept. 

"  But  all  this  opposition  to  church  organs,  it  will  be 
said,  perhaps,  is  the  effect  of  education,  of  superstition, 
of  habit :  or,  at  least,  of  great  weakness.  But  admitting 
all  this  ;  still,  as  the  great  body  of  our  people  are  honestly 
opposed  to  instrumental  music  in  churches,  and  would  be 
greatly  injured  in  their  feelings  by  its  introduction  there, 
I  submit  to  your  Christian  charity  whether  the  consciences 
of  even  weak  brethren  are  not  to  be  regarded ;  and  whether 
we  are  not  required  by  God  himself  to  abstain  from  any- 
thing of  this  sort,  '  whereby  a  brother  sturableth,  or  is 
offended,  or  is  made  weak'?  This  simple  circumstance, 
when  you  come  to  look  at  it,  will  be  a  sufficient  reason 
with  you,  no  doubt,  as  it  surely  is  with  me,  for  discoun- 
tenancing instrumental  music  in  churches.  But  there  are 
other  reasons  for  excluding  instrumental  music  from  the 
worship  of  God,  which  appeal  with  equal  force  to  our  Christ- 
ian charity,  if  not,  indeed,  to  our  sense  of  moral  obligation. 

"  1.  Mr.  Wesley,  whom  I  regard  as  no  mean  authority 
in  such  cases,  peremptorily  forbade  the  use  of  instrument- 
al music  in  all  his  societies. 

"  2.  The  practice  of  using  instrumental  music  in  the 
worship  of  God  has  been  steadily  opposed  by  our  Church, 
preachers  and  people,  Avith  the  exception  of  here  and  there 
an  individual,  down  to  the  present  time.  At  least,  this 
has  been  the  case  in  our  own  country. 


258 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"3.  In  18;J6,  the  General  Conference  passed  a  resolution, 
solemnly  enjoining  it  upon  the  ministry  to  discourage  the 
use  of  instrumental  music  in  churches,  by  all  prudent 
means ;  declaring  the  practice  to  be  utterly  at  variance 
with  vital  godliness. 

"  4.  The  use  of  instrumental  music  in  the  worship  of  God, 
by  David,  is  most  clearly  condemned  by  the  prophet  Amos. 
See  the  Book  of  this  prophet,  chap,  vi.,  verse  5,  with  Dr. 
Clarke's  comment  upon  the  passage  ;  and  also  his  note  on 
2  Chron.  xxix.  25,  to  the  same  effect.  The  Doctor,  in  his 
comment  on  these  passages,  shows  most  conclusively,  at 
least  to  my  mind,  that  tlie  use  of  instrumental  music  in 
the  worship  of  God,  was  sinful,  even  in  David's  time.  But 
even  were  we  to  admit  that  David  was  justifiable  in  using 
such  music,  this  would  no  more  prove  that  we  may  use  it 
under  the  gospel  dispensation,  than  that  we  may  imitate 
him  in  having  a  plurality  of  wives,  or  in  offering  those 
sacrifices  which  were  prescribed  by  the  ceremonial  law; 
for  if  it  should  be  argued  that  the  law  of  ceremonies  and 
the  custom  of  polygamy  were  abolished  by  the  express 
authority  of  our  Lord  and  his  apostles,  so  was  the  use  of 
instrumental  music  in  Divine  worship  forever  excluded  by 
their  example,  as  nothing  of  the  kind  was  ever  allowed  in 
their  practice. 

"I  know  it  is  said  that  instrumental  music  is  an  improve- 
ment on  primitive  usage.  And  I  know  equally  well  that 
primitive  usage  needs  no  improvement ;  but  that  all  de- 
partures from  it  are  of  the  nature  of  apostacy,  while  all 
improvement  consists  in  returning  to  first  principles,  or  in 
coming  back  to  primitive  usage  from  which  apostate  church- 
es have  departed.  Improvement  is  the  specious  name  un- 
der which  all  errors  and  corruptions  that  ever  disgraced 
the  Church,  have  crept  in.  And  I,  for  one,  liave  grown 
quite  suspicious  of  this  name.  I  cannot  help  thinking 
that  those  changes  by  which  we  'depart  from  the  old 


FBBE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


259 


land-marks '  which  our  fathers  set  up  in  the  days  of  their 
simplicity  are  to  be  recognized,  not  as  useful  improvements, 
but  as  htirtful  innovations.  Let  us  take  a  few  examples 
of  these  improvements,  as  they  present  themselves  in 
the  history  of  the  Church  in  by-gone  days,  and  we  shall 
learn  to  adopt  them,  it  is  presumed,  with  great  caution — 
or  rather,  to  adopt  them  not  at  all.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  the  Jews  improved  the  worship  of  their  forefathers, 
until  all  'appeared  beautiful  without ;  hwtioithiji,  was  full 
of  rottenness  and  dead  men's  bones.'  The  Papal  Hier- 
archy have  improved  the  apostolic  worship  until  not  only 
images,  and  relics,  and  saints,  have  come  to  be  adored  ; 
but  his  holiness,  the  Pope,  '  opposeth  and  exalteth  himself 
above  all  that  is  called  God,  or  that  is  worshiped,  so  that 
he,  as  God,  sitteth  in  the  temple  of  God,  showing  himself 
that  he  is  God.'  And  some  of  the  Methodist  people,  i)ar- 
ticularly  in  Europe,  have  «n/>rot'e(/ the  Wesleyan  worship 
until  we  see 

"  'The  spirit  in  the  letter  lost— 
The  eubBtance  in  the  shade.' 

This  remark  applies,  I  am  well  assured  by  some  of  our 
English  brethren,  to  that  portion  of  the  British  connection 
especially  who  have  introduced  organ  worship  into  their 
churches — particularly  in  the  city  of  Leeds,  where  this 
very  circumstance  occasioned  the  secession  of  no  less  than 
two  thousand  mcTubers  at  one  time.  With  such  improve- 
ments before  our  eyes,  is  it  not  time  to  pause  and  consider  ? 

"  '  But  we  shall  get  more  hearers  by  having  a  good  or- 
gan in  the  church.'  Aye,  and  the  same  might  be  said  of 
many  other  expedients — as  the  introduction  of  plays, 
shows,  festivals,  and  the  like;  particularly  might  one  in- 
crease the  number  of  his  hearers  by  a  compliance  with 
that  numerous  class  who  '  say  to  the  seers,  see  not,  and  to 
the  prophets,  prophesy  not  unto  us  right  things :  speak 
unto  us  smooth  things  ;  prophesy  deceit.'  But, 


260 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"  '  Shall  I  to  soothe  the  unholy  throng. 
Soften  God's  truth,  and  smooth  my  tongue  ? ' 

Shall  I  conform  to  the  world,  that  the  world,  through  my 
influence  thus  exerted,  may  be  conformed  to  Christ  ?  How 
lately  did  I  show,  in  your  own  chapel,  that  con  forraity  to 
the  world,  as  a  means  of  conforming  the  world  to  Christ, 
never  did  and  never  can  produce  that  effect.  At  all  events, 
I  dare  not  conform  to  the  world,  for  God  has  forbidden  it; 
and  I,  certainly,  am  not  called  upon  to  shut  myself  out  of 
heaven  by  disobeying  Him,  however  I  might  benefit  oth- 
ers by  such  disobedience. 

"  And  now,  dear  brethren,  what  is  to  be  done  ?  You 
have  purchased  an  organ,  I  am  told,  and  placed  it  in  the 
church.  But  will  you  not  consent,  after  all,  to  remove  it? 
Certainly,  you  are  not  conscience-bound  in  this  matter,  but 
Zam.  You  do  not  deem  it  wrong  to  worship  without  an 
organ ;  but  JT,  with  many  of  our  people,  deem  it  wrong  to 
worship  \oith  one.  And  will  you  not  give  it  up  on  the 
ground  of  expediency^  if  on  no  other  ground  ?  Will  you 
not  give  it  up  '  for  conscience  sake?  Conscience,  I  say, 
not  thine  own,  but  his  who  is  grieved  with  the  practice,' 
I  hope,  I  pray,  I  trust  you  will ;  and  that  God  will  bless 
you  in  that  sacrifice  of  feeling  and  of  pecuniary  interest 
which  such  a  measure  might  occasion. 

"  But  if  you  feel  yourselves  called  upon,  in  view  of  all 
the  circumstances,  to  retain  the  organ  in  the  church,  still, 
the  question  occurs,  what  is  to  be  done?  You  have  kindly 
invited  me  to  officiate  at  the  dedication  of  your  new  church  ; 
but,  pr.uiful  as  it  is  to  my  feelings — and  I  can  assure  you 
it  gives  me  more  pain,  such  is  my  respect  for  you,  than 
anything  which  has  ever  transpired  in  connection  with  my 
public  ministry ;  yet,  painful  as  it  is  to  my  feelings,  I  can 
only  accept  the  invitation  on  the  condition  that  the  organ 
shall  be  removed  ;  for,  with  my  present  views,  I  cannot, 
in  conscience,  dedicate  to  the  worship  of  God,  an  instru- 


FEKE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


261 


ment,  which,  I  believe,  would  be  unacceptable  to  Him, 
and  one  which,  I  am  satisfied,  He  never  designed  should 
be  employed  in  his  service — at  least,  under  the  gospel  dis- 
pensation. I  say  it  is  painful,  extremely  painful,  for  me  to 
decline  your  invitation,  as  you  are  among  the  last  I  would 
be  willing  to  disoblige.  But  I  have  looked  the  matter 
over ;  I  have  made  it  the  subject  of  much  prayer ;  I  have 
'  counted  the  cost ; '  and  I  take  this  step  from  the  deliber- 
ate conviction  that  such  is  the  will  of  the  Lord. 

'*  I  am  aware,  my  dear  brethren,  that  you  can  well  enough 
dispense  with  my  services  at  your  approaching  dedication, 
ae  almost  any  other  one  will  be  able  to  do  better  than  my- 
self I  am  not  vain  enough  to  suppose  that  you  will  be 
led  to  secure  my  attendance  at  a  very  great  sacrifice ;  but 
as  you  have  had  the  courtesy  to  invite  me,  (out  of  respect 
for  my  office,  no  doubt,)  I  exceedingly  regret  that  anything 
should  exist  to  deny  me  the  pleasure  of  complying  with 
the  invitation.  And  if  you  can  all  consent  to  remove 
the  obstacle  which  obliges  me  to  decline  the  honor  you 
have  intended  me,  it  will  afford  me  the  most  heartfelt  sat- 
isfaction to  bear  a  part  in  the  dedicatory  services  of  your 
beautiful  church.  Will  you  be  good  enough  to  advise  me 
on  the  subject  immediately,  that  I  may  be  seasonably  in- 
formed of  your  final  decision  ? 

*'  Yours,  respectfully, 

"  Elias  Bowkn. 

"  CuoooTia,  1846. 

"  Suffice  it  to  say,  I  did  dedicate  the  church  in  accord- 
ance with  the  invitation,  but  upon  the  express  condition 
that  the  organ  should  be  removed  immediately  after  the 
dedication,  (it  being  impracticable  to  do  it  before,)  and 
that  it  should  be  specially  excepted  in  the  dedicatory 
prayer,  which  was  done.  Thus  my  part  of  the  stipulation 
was  carried  out  in  good  faith ;  but,  through  the  advice  of 
two  or  three  Methodist  preachers,  as  I  was  told — shame 


262 


A  HISTOKY  OF  THE 


on  them  ! — the  organ  was  never  removed.  Since  that 
time,  other  singing  machines  have  been  plentifully  intro- 
duced into  our  churches  ;  and  O !  what  a  ridiculous  bel- 
lowing we  now  have  in  almost  all  our  houses  of  worship 
throughout  the  land  !  E.  B." 

This  wooden  worship,  so  common  in  our  modern  church- 
es, was  never  known  to  be  productive  of  the  conversion 
of  souls,  or  to  co-exist  even,  with  a  state  of  spiritual  life 
and  power,  among  any  people  on  earth.  The  vocal  organ, 
with  which  our  beneficent  Ci'eator  has  furnished  every  in- 
dividual, in  general,  of  the  race;  and  which  the  poor  as 
well  as  the  rich  can  afford  to  use,  inasmuch  as  it  is  a  natu- 
ral gift,  involving  no  pecuniary  expense  to  the  possessor ; 
is  the  only  instrument  of  music  which  can  be  employed 
in  Divine  worship  with  acceptability  to  God,  or  profit  to 
the  souls  of  men. 

This  organ  possesses  many  incalculable  advantages.  It 
is  of  Divine  workmanship  ;  exceeding  all  man-made  instru- 
ments, therefore,  both  in  material  and  structure,  as  far  as 
the  works  of  nature  exceed  the  works  of  art,  which  is  lit- 
tle less  than  infinite.  And  it  has  this  additional  advan- 
tage also,  that  it  can  be  used  at  all  times,  in  all  places, 
and  under  all  possible  circumstances — which  is  not  the 
case  with  any  man-made  or  artificial  instrument  whatever. 
Nor  does  the  young  convert,  or  living  Christian  of  any  age 
in  religion,  fail  to  use  his  own  voice  in  singing  the  praises 
of  God,  in  preference  to  all  the  humanly-constructed  in- 
struments in  the  universe. 

Many  have  been  converted  and  brought  into  the  fold  of 
Christ — have  been  charmed,  exhilarated,  and  carried  for- 
ward in  the  way  to  heaven — by  means  of  vocal  music  ; 
while  thousands  have  contracted  a  taste  for  vain  amuse- 
ments, sunk  down  into  a  state  of  cold  formality,  and  lost 
their  religion,  througli  the  damning  influence  of  the  use 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


263 


of  instniments  in  the  -worship  of  God  !  Religion  always 
flourishes  or  declines,  as  vocal  or  instrumental  music  is 
used  in  the  church  ;  instrumental  music  and  spiritual  death 
invariably  going  together  on  the  one  hand,  and  vocal  mu- 
sic and  spiritual  life  and  prosperity  on  the  other.  Chris- 
tianity and  Methodism  both  set  out  with  vocal  music ; 
and  afterwards,  when  the  spirit  of  piety  began  to  decline, 
they  substituted  instrumental — ostensibly  by  way  of  "  im- 
provement,^'' but  in  reality  as  the  well-known  eflfect  and 
fostering  cause  of  conformity  to  the  world. 

It  is  not  likely  that  the  fi-iends  of  the  fiddle,  (an  appro- 
priate name  for  all  church  instruments,)  will  recognize  the 
relation  of  cause  and  effect  here.  They  would  doubtless 
have  us  understand  that  the  simultaneous  happening  of 
the  use  of  instrumental  music  in  churches,  and  the  decline 
of  religion,  is  a  mere  coincidence,  and  not  to  be  regarded 
as  evidence  of  the  evil  tendency  of  such  music.  But  the 
uniformity  of  the  thing  proves,  most  conclusively,  that  the 
one  must  be  the  cause  of  the  other;  or  rather,  that  they 
are  reciprocal,  acting  upon  each  other  in  the  relation  of 
cause  and  effect.  At  all  events,  the  Free  Methodists,  view- 
ing the  subject  in  this  light,  have  deemed  it  not  barely 
prudential,  but  a  matter  of  moral  obligation,  to  prohibit 
the  use  of  instrumental  music  in  their  churches  by  a  posi- 
tive rule  of  Discipline  ;  and  it  is  hoped  they  will  faithfully 
live  up  to  so  important  a  rule,  "  allowing  of  no  exempt 
cases,"  and  that  God  will  continue  to  smile  upon  them, 
and  abundantly  bless  them  herein,  enabling  them  still  as 
now  to  "  sing  with  the  spirit  and  with  the  understanding 
also." 

Among  the  various  otlier  "  Rules  and  Regulations " 
abolished  by  the  M.  E.  Church,  or  so  changed  as  to  do 
away  their  force,  and  restored  to  their  original  form  by  the 
Free  Methodists,  we  shall  simply  notice  the  rule,  or  sec- 
tion, as  it  is  termed,  "  On  dress." 


264 


A   HISTOIIY   OF  THE 


Formerly,  both  the  "  General  Rule  "  and  the  section  on 
this  subject,  in  the  Old  Church  Discipline,  were  prohibit- 
ors  of  all  extravagance  in  dress,  or  anything  superfluous ; 
making  plainness  of  apparel,  as  it  ever  should  be,  a  condi- 
tion of  membership.  But  though  the  "  General  Rule " 
etill  remains  intact,  the  section  has  been  pared  down  to  a 
mere  hortatory  injunction,  without  penalty  or  practical 
effect — thereby  neutralizing  the  "  General  Rule  "  itself. — 
St.  Paul  says,  "  we  can  do  nothing  against  the  truth,  but 
for  the  truth  ;  "  but  the  General  Conference,  it  would  seem, 
can  do  nothing  for  the  truth — nothing  to  exclude  the  pop- 
ular sins  of  the  day  from  the  Church,  but  to  open  the  door 
for  their  introduction  and  cultivation  within  her  pale,  at 
least  by  a  sort  of  advisory  connivance. 

As  for  instance,  when  it  is  proposed  to  abolish  slavery, 
"  the  sum  of  all  villanies,"  in  the  Church,  by  the  adoption 
of  a  separate  chapter  to  this  end  ;  why,  to  be  sure,  there 
is  a  "  General  Rule,"  providing  for  its  existence,  in  the 
way — a  constitutional  difficulty,  which  they  cannot  sur- 
mount or  overcome  by  their  own  independent  action  as  a 
General  Conference.  But  when  the  tables  are  turned,  and 
a  "  General  Rule,"  forbidding  "  the  putting  on  of  gold  and 
costly  apparel,"  is  to  be  nullified  as  a  barrier  in  the  way 
of  pride  and  extravagance,  in  that  case  they  have  full 
power  to  modify  the  chapter  or  section  on  dress  for  this 
purpose.  A  "  General  Rule,"  therefore,  which  goes  to 
protect  or  tolerate  the  sins  of  the  Church,  is  something 
the  General  Conference  has  uo  authority  to  meddle  with ; 
it  can  only  be  changed  or  interfered  with  by  what  is  called 
the  two-thirds  and  three-fourths  process ;  but  a  "  General 
Rule,"  of  precisely  the  same  character  with  tha  above, 
which  stands  in  the  way  of  these  sins,  is  no  more  in  their 
hands  than  the  "  seven  green  withes "  which  "  Samson 
broke  from  his  limbs,  as  a  thread  of  tow  when  it  toucheth 
the  fire." 


FREE  METHODIST  CHTTRCH. 


265 


We  could  multiply  instances  like  the  foregoing  under 
this  head;  but. those  already  given  must  suffice  as  a  spec- 
imen of  the  inconsistencies  and  perpetrations  of  wrong  for 
Bome  years  past,  by  the  Episcopal  Methodists,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  keeping  up  their  reputation  and  influence  as  a 
Christian  Church  ;  and  at  the  same  time,  of  covering  their 
own  abominable  practice  of  "  adorning  themselves  with 
gold,  and  pearls,  and  costly  array,"  and  plunging  into  all 
the  fripperies  and  fooleries  and  extravagances  of  the  fash- 
ionable world.  And  here  we  must  be  allowed  to  say,  that 
our  repeated  allusions  to  the  inconsistencies  and  wicked- 
ness of  the  Old  Church,  is  not  from  any  ill  will  we  have 
towards  her;  but  to  show  the  occasion  there  was  for  the 
formation  of  another  Methodist  Church  at  the  time  the 
Free  Methodists  arose,  and  to  guard  the  new  denomination 
against  an  example  bo  fatal  to  all  who  presume  to  venture 
apon  such  a  course. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


There  is  another  class  of  "  Rules  and  Regulations  " 
found  in  the  F.  M.  Church  Discipline,  which  never  were 
in  the  Discipline  of  the  Old  Church,  only  as  they  were  em- 
braced, in  substance^  in  the  "  General  Rules." 

Among  these,  the  conditions  and  manner  of  "  Receiving 
members  into  the  Church,"  are  of  no  secondar}^  importance. 
The  conditions  of  Churcli-membership  with  the  Free  Meth- 
odists do  not  consist  in  a  birth-right  qualification — the  being 
born  of  believing  parents  ;  or  in  mere  externals,  of  any  kind, 
as  baptismal  regeneration,  so  called ;  nor  jet  in  becoming 
seekers  of  religion,  according  to  the  Old  Cliurch,  which  has 
greatly  multiplied  tlie  number,  and  proportionally  dimin- 
ished the  spirituality  and  power,  of  her  membership,  in  this 
way ;  but  in  a  clear,  Christian  experience,  or  a  manifest 
adoption  into  the  family  of  believers,  through  fiith  in  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  They  have  learned — as  well  from  the 
lessons  of  history,  as  from  the  tenor  of  Holy  Writ — the 
necessity  of  guarding  well  the  door  into  the  Church.  And 
hence,  the  candidate  can  only  be  "  received  with  the  con- 
sent of  tliree-fourths  of  the  society,"  after  having  an- 
swered affirmatively,  among  others  of  a  similar  character, 
the  following  questions  : 

"  Have  you  the  witness  of  The  Spirit  that  you  are  a 
child  of  God  ? 

"Have  you  that  perfect  love  which  casteth  out  fear? — 
If  not,  will  you  diligently  seek  until  you  obtain  it? 

"  Will  you  forever  lay  aside  all  superfluous  ornaments, 
and  '  adorn  yourself  in  modest  apparel,  with  shame-lacod- 
26G 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


267 


ness  and  sobriety ;  not  with  broidered  hair,  or  gold,  or 
pearls,  or  costly  array  ;  but,  which  bocometh  those  profess- 
ing godliness,  with  good  works  '  ? 

"  Will  you  abstain  from  connection  with  all  secret  soci- 
eties, keeping  yourself  free  to  follow  the  will  of  the  Lord 
in  all  things  ?  " 

Nor  are  the  preachers  held  to  a  less  strict  or  stringent 
rule.  They  too  must  give  satisfactory  answers,  on  being 
"received  into  full  connection,"  to  a  series  of  like  ques- 
tions, particularly  the  following : 

"  Have  you  the  present  assurance  of  sins  forgiven?  Do 
you  believe  in  Christian  perfection  ?  Have  you  attained 
to  this  rich  experience  in  your  own  heart  ?  If  not,  are  you 
groaning  after  it  ?    Do  you  use  snuff,  tobacco,  or  drams  ?  " 

Thus  the  door  into  the  ministry  is  guarded  with  equal 
care  and  jealousy  for  the  cause  of  a  living  Christianity, 
as  that  into  the  Church  with  respect  to  private  members. 
And  what  is  still  better,  if  possible,  these  very  solemn 
obligations  and  vows  are  held  pi-actically  sacred,  and  are 
being  everywhere  enforced  by  the  executive  authorities  of 
this  holy  people.  The  Discipline  among  them  is  not  a 
dead  letter,  as  in  the  Old  Church ;  yet  they  do  not  require 
much  ruling,  alive  as  they  are  in  religion,  to  keep  them  to 
their  post,  since  "  they  are  a  law  unto  themselves,"  finding 
it  "  their  meat  and  their  drink  to  do  the  will  of  God." 

Another  new  "  Regulation  "  found  in  the  Discipline  of 
the  Free  Church,  consists  in  the  organization  of  a  monthly 
meeting,  "  composed  of  all  tlie  preachers,  exhorters,  stew- 
ards, class-leaders,  and  Sunday-school  superintendents,  in 
the  circuit  or  station,"  entitled  "  The  Official  Board,"  and 
occupying  an  intermediate  grade,  both  in  regard  to  time 
and  business,  between  the  quarterly  and  class  meetings — 
a  place  it  is  admirably  adapted  to  fill. 

True,  "  the  preacher  in  charge,"  among  the  Episcopal 
Methodists,  has  been  wont  to  call  together  his  official  board. 


268 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


on  most  stations,  and  counsel  with  them  in  things  pertain- 
ing to  the  society,  as  a  kind  of  executive  staff ;  but  these 
meetings  were  without  any  authority  of  rule  or  formal 
institution,  and  had  no  definite  business — none  of  an  ofi- 
cial  character,  especially — nor  any  particular  time  of  com- 
ing together.  To  say  the  most  of  them,  they  had  but  the 
sanction  of  an  irregular  and  partial  usuge.  Of  late,  however, 
one  of  our  bishops,  by  the  foulest  usurpation,  has  stamped 
this  official  board,  (so  called  because  the  men  composing 
it  are  official  members  of  the  church,  and  not  because  they 
have  any  official  character  as  a  board  ;)  one  of  our  bishops, 
we  say,  has  stamped  this  board  with  a  judicial  character  ; 
even  higher  than  that  of  the  General  Conference  itself; 
inasmuch  as  he  has  authorized  them,  in  connection  with 
"  the  preacher  in  charge,"  to  "  withdraw  members  from 
the  Church  without  their  knowledge  or  consent !  "  Or 
rather,  he  has  placed  our  membership  in  the  hands  of  the 
preacher  alone,  as  he  can  always  create  a  majority  in  the 
official  board,  and,  indeed,  in  the  Quarterly  Conference 
also,  by  the  multiplication  of  class-leaders  whose  office  is 
in  his  gift,  that  will  do  his  bidding. 

We  might  challenge  the  Pope  himself  to  assume  higher 
authority,  or  invest  his  most  faithful  inquisition  with  power 
more  arbitrary  and  despotic,  than  is  here  conferred  upon 
the  official  board,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  with  the  preach- 
er at  its  head.  A  fine  state  of  things  this  !  and  what  is 
our  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  good 
for,  when  placed  at  the  disposal  of  an  unauthorized,  irre- 
sponsible, capricious  tribunal ;  and  that,  too,  by  an  episco- 
pal ukase,  from  which,  in  these  times  of  bishop  adoration, 
there  is  no  appeal ! 

But  the  official  members,  without  organization  or  au- 
thority as  a  board,  and  used  only  for  the  purpose  of  usur- 
pation and  oppression,  or  as  a  scape-goat  to  bear  away  the 
sins  of  the  preacher  who  shrinks  from  the  responsibility 


FBBE  METHODIST  CHUBCH. 


269 


of  his  tyrannical  doings,  in  the  Old  Church  :  have  become 
a  regularly  organized,  efficient  and  responsible  department 
of  executive  administration  with  the  Free  Methodists,  and 
an  economical  auxiliary  to  the  ministry  itself,  both  in 
"  the  temporal  and  spiritual  interests  of  the  Church." 

But  no  "  Regulation  "  or  "  Rule  "  in  the  Discipline  of 
the  Free  Methodist  Church  under  this  head — surely  none 
of  a  purely  negative  character — seems  better  adapted  to 
guard  the  interests,  not  of  vital  godliness  alone,  but  of  the 
whole  system  of  Christianity,  than  that  which  prohibits 
all  connection  with  secret  societies.  Chapter  sixth,  of  Dis- 
cipline, 1866,  reads  as  follows  : 

"  What  rule  shall  we  make  in  regard  to  Secret  Societies  f 

"  Voluntary  associations  are  not  necessarily  sinful  be- 
cause they  are  secret.  But  secrecy  is  always  aground  of 
suspicion.  Evil  works  instinctively  incline  to  darkness. — 
Good  works  grow  up  in  light.  God  commands  us  to  let 
our  light  shine.  Even  a  good  cause  under  the  shadow  of 
secrecy  invalidates  its  claim  to  the  confidence  of  open  and 
,  honest  men.  Grace  and  guile  can  have  no  affinity.  All 
secrets  necessary  to  be  kept,  can  be  kept  without  an  oath. 
A  had  institution  ought  tiot,  and  a  good  one  7ieed  not,  be 
secret.  Philanthropic  associations,  claiming  our  co-opera- 
tion on  Christian  grounds,  must  do  so  with  open  face. — 
They  must  lift  the  vail  while  demanding  our  salutation,  or 
we  cannot  salute  them  by  the  way.  Therefore,  all  secret 
societies,  both  good  and  bad,  are  to  be  eschewed. 

"  Any  society  requiring  an  oath,  affirmation,  or  promise 
of  secrecy,  as  a  condition  of  membership,  is  held  to  be  a 
Secret  Society  ;  and  any  member  joining,  or  continuing 
in  such,  violates  his  covenant  obligations,  and  shall  in  due 
form  be  excluded  from  the  Church  ;  and  the  preacher  shall 
report  that  he  is  excluded,  not  few  immorality,  but  for  in- 
fraction of  our  rules  and  regulations." 

The  M.  E.  Church  has  no  specific  "  Rule  "  against  these 


270 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


mischievous  associations.  And  though  she  kept  herself 
in  great  measure,  free  from  them  till  within  a  few  years — 
the  "  General  Rule,"  which  impliedly  forbids  them,  in  "  for- 
bidding evil  of  every  kind,"  and  allowing  no  "  diversions 
which  cannot  be  taken  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus," 
still  having  some  authority  with  her — she  has  at  length 
thrown  off  all  restraint  and  gone  into  them,  the  preachers 
especially,  with  a  perfect  rush  ;  conforming  herself  to  their 
requisitions  and  movements,  and  depending  upon  their  co- 
operation and  support,  till  they  have  become  as  necessary 
to  the  carrying  out  of  her  ambitious  and  worldly  designs 
as  the  order  of  Jesuits  to  those  of  the  Pope  and  Church 
of  Rome.  But  the  Free  Methodists,  having  seen  the  aw- 
fully demoralizing  effects  of  Free  Masonry,  and  all  kindred 
institutions ;  and  been  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  the 
wickedness  and  danger  of  associating  with  "  the  enemies 
of  the  cross  of  Christ,"  especially  on  terms  of  intimacy 
and  carousal;  have  very  justly  excluded  these  "friends 
of  the  world  "  from  her  communion,  making  the  entire 
freedom  from  all  connection  with  their  oath-bound  frater- 
nity a  condition  of  membership. 

The  subjoined  article,  by  Rev.  A.  A.  Phelps,  which  late- 
ly appeared  in  the  columns  of  the  Northern  Independent, 
will  present,  in  brief,  her  views  of  secret  societies: 

"  What  a  mania  has  seized  all  classes  of  men  on  the  sub- 
ject of  secret  societies  !  Nearly  every  branch  of  business 
is  sought  to  be  improved  by  secret  signs  and  associations. 
Mechanics  and  tradesmen  who  refuse  to  join  them  are 
crushed  or  crippled  or  cursed  for  their  independency.  Thus 
a  cruel  monopoly  is  created,  and  the  rights  of  conscience 
disregarded.  Where  and  what  is  American  liberty,  if 
success  or  starvation  awaits  an  individual,  according  as  he 
shall  join,  or  refuse  to  join,  a  secret  society?  Such  a 
business  monopoly  merits  the  reprehension  of  every  no- 
ble and  independent  spirit.    Let  us  have  fair  play  and 


PRKE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


271 


equal  rights  for  all;  then  none  will  have  occasion  to  com- 
plain. 

"  Still  more  objectionable  is  the  fashionable  mode  of 
carrying  on  benevolent  enterjyrises  under  the  vail  of  secrecy. 
That  it  ever  should  have  been  thought  necessary  to  divide 
the  great  temperance  army  into  separate  squads,  to  fight 
the  enemy  in  secret  chambers,  is  one  of  the  wonders  of 
our  age.  Organization,  system,  and  unity  of  effort,  are 
very  necessary  to  besiege  the  citadel  of  Rum.  But  who 
does  not  know  that  these  objects  can  be  fully  secured  with- 
out resort  to  secrecy  ?  Many  are  conscientiously  opposed 
to  any  organization  requiring  oatlisand  pass-words.  Hence 
this  very  arrangement  divides  the  forces  and  prevents  that 
unity  of  effort  so  essential  to  the  largest  success.  While 
we  cheerfully  acknowledge  the  good  accomplished  by  the 
various  temperance  societies  of  the  day,  it  is  to  be  feared 
that  some  of  them  have  allowed  their  meetings  to  so  far 
degenerate  into  visiting  parties  and  pastimes,  as  to  strike 
but  feeble  blows  in  behalf  of  rura  ruined  liumanity. 

"The  liquor  traffic  is  a  public  invader  of  human  rights. 
Why  should  we  sneak  away  in  concealment  to  concoct  our 
plans  of  opposition?  Let  the  war  be  open  and  undisguised. 
Instead  of  this  ambush  warfare,  how  much  better  would 
it  be  to  rally  the  friends  of  tempefaacc,  effect  regular  or- 
ganizations, hold  frequent  meetings,  secure  stirring  lec- 
tures, provide  for  essays,  poems,  and  free  discussions  on 
every  practical  point,  invite  everybody  to  attend,  and  push 
the  battle  to  the  gates  !  An  enthusiasm  would  thus  be 
awakened,  which  would  enlist  the  energies  of  the  lovers 
of  temperance  and  truth,  and  make  them  feel  a  personal 
responsibility  in  helping  roll  back  the  dark  waves  of  death 
to  their  native  liell ! 

"  My  objections  to  secret  temperance  organizations  are 
chiefly  these  :  1.  The  element  of  secrecy  divides  the  friends 
of  temperance,  shuts  out  the  enemies  of  temperance,  and 


272 


A  HISTORY  OF  THB 


thus  leads  to  a  partial  failure  to  secure  the  great  object 
sought.  2.  Such  societies  form  an  easy  stepping-stone  to 
certain  mystic  orders  that  are  still  more  objectionable  in 
their  character.  I  refer  to  the  orders  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
Free  Masons. 

"  And  since  the  latter,  from  its  greater  popularity,  may 
be  regarded  as  the  representative  society,  the  following 
remarks  will  apply  to  this  alone.  I  feel  very  confident 
that  all  oath  bound,  secret  societies  are  at  war  with  the 
genius  of  the  gospel,  and  the  institutions  of  a  republican 
government ;  but  a  fraternity  requiring  its  members  to 
assume  such  horrid  obligations  as  Free-masonry  imposes, 
is  absolutely  reprehensible !  No  man  has  a  right  to  take 
a  leap  in  the  dark,  by  committing  himself  to  a  course  of 
action  in  utter  ignorance  of  its  moral  character.  Much 
less  has  he  a  right  to  swear  away  his  own  life.  And  yet 
every  candidate  for  Masonic  membership  does  solemnly 
promise  to  obey  every  injunction  of  the  order,  at  the  for- 
feiture of  his  natural  life.  Any  divulging  of  secrets  or 
dereliction  from  duty  may  be  punished  with  death — in- 
flicted, too,  in  the  most  barbarous  manner.  This  having 
your  '  throat  cut  from  ear  to  ear,  your  tongue  torn  out  by 
the  roots,  and  your  body  buried  in  the  rough  sands  of  the 
sea  at  low-water  mark ' — how  appalling  !  Or,  if  this  is 
not  sufficiently  shocking,  think  of  having  'your  left  breast 
torn  open,  your  heart  and  vitals  taken  from  thence  and 
thrown  over  your  left  shoulder,  and  you  carried  into  the 
valley  of  Jehoshaphat  to  become  a  pi-ey  to  wild  beasts  !  * 
Do  you  say  that  such  penalties  were  never  inflicted  ?  Be 
not  too  hasty  in  your  conclusions.  There  is  the  best  evi- 
dence that  a  goodly  number  have  been  hurried  out  of  the 
world  by  the  execution  of  Masonic  law.  Perhaps  not  al- 
ways, nor  generally,  in  the  mode  prescribed  in  the  sacri- 
legious oaths  of  the  order;  nevertheless,  the  spirit  of  the 
law  has  been  carried  out,  by  putting  its  violators  where 


FEKK  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


273 


Aey  can  tell  no  tales.  Morgan,  Murdoc,  Smith,  and  oth- 
jrs,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten. 

"But  suppose  human  life  were  not  jeopardized  by  Ma- 
ionic  connections  ;  the  institution  still  has  many  gravely 
)bjectionable  features.  Viewed  from  the  most  favorable 
itand-point,  it  is  nothing  better  than  a  mutual  aid  society, 
sonstructed  on  a  selfish  basis,  and  calculated  to  assist  the 
ew  at  the  expense  of  the  many.  Its  boasted  benevolence, 
leralded  on  every  breeze,  is  but  an  empty  profession,  made 
or  popular  eflfect.  Is  it  an  act  of  benevolence  for  a  society 
o  appropriate  fifty  dollars  to  defray  the  funeral  expenses 
)f  a  deceased  member  who  had  contributed  a  hundred 
loUars  to  promote  its  intei-ests  ? 

practical  fruits  of  Masonry  are  such  as  ought  to 
ivert  the  sympathies  of  every  lover  of  truth.  It  has  come 
.o  pass  in  many  sections  of  the  country,  that  Masonic  law 
I  ;o  overrides  the  civil  law  as  to  defeat  the  ends  of  gov- 
irnment,  and  leave  nothing  of  justice  but  an  empty  name. 
Thus  the  rights  of  widows  are  shamefully  violated,  and 
.he  uninitiated  are  left  to  pick  up  the  fragments  that  re- 
nain  after  the  fraternity  have  been  fully  served.  The  less 
TOVi  have  to  do  with  civil  law,  the  better,  provided  your 
egal  opponent,  together  with  the  judge  and  a  portion  of 
he  jury,  are  Free  Masons.  This  is  the  power  that  throws 
ts  protection  over  many  a  black-hearted  villain,  and 
trangely  opens  a  way  for  hie  escape.  Here,  too,  is  a  key 
o  the  lengthened  life  and  unlooked-for  lenity  extended  to 
Jefferson  Davis,  who,  though  a  high  criminal,  is  also  a 
ligh  Mason. 

"  How,  then  oan  the  followers  of  Jesus  consent  to  form 
.Uianoe  with  an  institution  so  worldly,  selfish,  sacrilegious, 
■nd  Christless?  '  What  fellowship  hath  light  with  dark- 
lesss  ? '  And  with  what  grace  can  the  Christian  go  from 
he  mummeries  of  the  lodge-room  to  the  devotions  of  the 
»rayer-room  or  the  services  of  the  pulpit  ?  But  I  am  told 
12* 


274  A  HISTORY  OF  THE 

that  it  is  better  to  stick  to  the  gospel  and  let  Masonry 
alone :  for  if  it  comes  to  be  understood  that  I  am  opposed 
to  Free-Masonry,  I  can  thenceforth  do  its  devotees  no 
good.  This  caution  reveals  still  more  fully  the  diabolical 
nature  of  the  mystic  order,  and  nerves  me  with  fresh  de- 
termination to  denounce  an  institution  so  gigantic  in  its 
proportions,  and  so  essentially  opposed  to  the  pure  princi- 
ples of  Christianity." 


CHAPTER  XV. 


We  now  come  to  treat  briefly  of  the  government  of  the 
Free  Methodist  Chi^rch  as  a  system ;  the  occasional  no- 
tices heretofore  taken  of  certain  "Rules  and  Regulations'* 
contained  in  their  Discipline  being  isolated  and  partial, 
are  necessarily  incomplete. 

Government,  in  itself  considered,  whether  ecclesiastical 
or  civil,  is  of  Divine  institution  ;  and  no  society,  properly 
considered,  can  exist  without  it.  Both  Church  and  State, 
as  such,  owe  their  very  existence  to  government.  But 
while  God  has  instituted  government,  as  well  in  its  princi- 
ples and  general  economy  as  in  its  obligations  and  duties, 
for  the  benefit  of  man.  He  has  left  the  particular  form,  if 
we  except  the  ancient  Theocracy  He  imposed  upon  the 
Jewish  nation,  to  the  people  themselves — only  so  that  it 
fall  within  the  great  outline  of  His  own  universal  moral 
government  over  the  world. 

The  form  of  government  which  has  been  adopted  by 
the  Free  Methodist  Church,  embraces  four  several  depart- 
ments— legislative,  executive,  judicial,  and  prudential; — 
the  latter  having  respect,  more  particularly,  to  the  waya 
and  means  of  giving  efficiency  and  success  to  the  forego- 
ing. The  judicial  element,  however,  belongs  more  or  less 
to  all  these  departments,  as  the  government,  in  its  practi- 
cal operations,  sufficiently  demonstrates. 

"  The  General  Conference,  composed  of  an  equal  number 
of  clerical  and  lay  delegates,"  and  meeting  quadrennially 
in  the  manner  prescribed  by  Discipline,  constitutes  the 
law-making  power,  and  the  highest  court  of  appeal. 
275 


276 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


"  The  Annual  Conference,  composed  of  all  the  traveling 
preachers  in  full  connection,  and  an  equal  number  of  lay- 
delegates,"  meets  annually,  as  its  name  implies,  at  such 
time  and  place  as  its  president  and  members  ai'e  pleased 
to  designate,  for  the  purpose  of  appointing  the  preachers 
to  their  respective  fields  of  labor;  examining  into  their 
character  for  piety,  improvement,  and  usefulness;  and 
looking  after  the  spiritual  and  temporal  interests  of  the 
Church  generally  within  their  bounds. 

"The  Quarterly  Conference,  composed  of  all  the  official 
members  of  the  circuit  or  station  "  for  which  it  is  held  ; 
"  meets  four  times  a  year,  in  connection  with  the  General 
Quarterly  Meetings,  to  hear  complaints,  try  appeals,  grant 
and  renew  licenses  to  preach,  and  recommend  suitable  per- 
sons to  tlie  Annual  Conference  to  be  employed  as  travel- 
ing preachers." 

"  The  Class-meetings,  embracing  all  or  a  part  of  the  so- 
ciety, as  the  case  may  be,  "  according  to  their  respective 
places  of  abode;"  meets  weekly,  usually  on  the  Sabbath, 
for  mutual  edification  and  improvement,  in  experimental 
religion  especially ;  and  to  aid  tlie  preachers  in  their  pas- 
toral oversight  and  labor.  Of"  The  Official  Meeting,"  so 
called,  appointed  and  provided  for  in  the  eighteentli  sec- 
tion of  the  Discipline,  we  have  spoken  under  anotlier  liead, 
and  need  not  introduce  it  here  ;  though,  perhaps  it  should 
be  counted  a  fifth  department,  or  rather  the  fourth  in 
(/rder — the  class-meeting  counting  the  fifth,  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Church. 

In  connection  with  these  several  departments  of  the 
government  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  and  in  good 
accordance  with  the  objects  and  duties  of  their  institu- 
tion, several  offices  are  created  and  filled  by  the  proper 
authority.  Among  these,  the  office  of  general  euperiuten- 
dent  claims  our  special  attention. 


It  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  the  bishops  of  the  M.  E. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


277 


Church  were  originally  called  general  superintendents, 
merely,  though  chey  very  soon  took  on  the  title  they  now 
bear.  Perhaps  it  would  have  been  as  well  had  their  orig- 
inal title  remained  as  it  was.  This,  however,  was  a  mat- 
ter of  comparatively  little  importance.  But  it  was  a  very 
grave  mistake  that  they  should  be  inducted  into  their 
office  by  the  solemn  form  of  ordination,  or  be  elected  to  it 
for  life.  The  Free  Methodists  both  reject  the  form  of 
Episcopal  ordination,  and  elect  their  superintendents,  (still 
retaining  the  primitive  title,  as  indeed  they  should,)  quad- 
rennially: making  them  "amenable  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence for  the  discharge  of  their  official  duties,  and  for  their 
Christian  conduct,  to  the  Annual  Conferences  to  which 
they  respectively  belong." 

But  there  is  the  example  of  the  Episcopal  Methodists 
for  a  sort  of  diocesan  or  prelatical  Episcopacy — at  least 
for  an  order  of  ecclesiastics  involving  Episcopal  ordina- 
tion, and  a  life-tenure  of  office ;  and  lest  our  young  Church 
should  be  induced  to  copy  after  it  in  her  own  form  of  gov- 
ernment, ("for  there  is  no  man,"  or  church,  "that  liveth 
and  sinneth  not — is  not  liable  to  sin,")  it  may  be  well  to 
admonish  her  of  the  evil  of  such  a  course  by  the  intro- 
duction of  the  following  extract,  taken  from  a  treatise  on 
Methodist  Episcopacy,  by  the  author  of  this  work  : 

"  We  do  not  account  the  form  of  ordination  with  respect 
to  the  bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  any 
great  importance,  in  itself  considered;  and  yet  there  are 
some  reasons  arising  from  the  laws  of  association,  and  the 
long-established  customs  of  society,  why  it  should  be 
abolished. 

"  In  the  first  place,  we  look  upon  the  question  in  the  or- 
dination service,  '  Ai-e  you  persuaded  that  you  are  called 
to  this  ministration,  according  to  the  will  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ?'  and  the  answer,  'I  am  so  persuaded,'  as  a 
solemn  farce.    The  idea  of  a  special  Divine  call,  as  the 


278 


A  HISTOBY  OF  THE 


language  here  evidently  implies,  to  a  mere  office  in  the 
Church,  goes  to  identify  it,  or  at  least  to  make  it  of  equal 
obligation  and  importance,  with  a  call  to  the  ministry  it- 
self, which  seems  to  us  preposterous.  According  to  this 
doctrine,  if  any  one  deem  that  he  is  called  to  the  episco- 
pacy by  the  Spirit,  or  '  will  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,'  he 
can  but  say,  '  woe  is  me  if  I  become  not  a  bishop  ; '  and 
what  if  half  the  preachers  in  the  connection  should  pro- 
fess to  have  such  a  call,  by  what  criterion  should  we  dis- 
criminate between  them  ?  for  they  could  not  all  be  admit- 
ted to  the  office.  Doubtless  we  are  all  called  to  the  epis- 
copacy, just  as  we  are  called  to  any  other  office  in  the 
Church,  whenever  we  are  appointed  to  fill  it  by  the  suf- 
frages of  our  brethren. 

"  Secondly,  it  appears  to  us  that  the  question  and  the 
answer  above  referred  to,  are  equally  applicable  to  any 
other  officer  of  the  General  Conference ;  and  that  the 
book  agents,  editors,  secretaries,  and  the  like,  may  just 
as  well  be  inducted  into  their  respective  offices  by  corres- 
ponding forms  of  ordination,  as  a  bishop.  The  ordaining 
of  a  bishop  can  add  nothing  to  his  spiritual  character — 
nothing  to  his  influence  or  authority  as  a  Christian  minister 
— for  he  is  admitted  to  the  full  powers  of  the  ministry,  and 
invested  with  the  highest  authority  known  to  the  Scrip- 
tures for  the  administration  of  the  word  and  ordinances, 
by  his  ordination  as  an  elder  or  2^resbyter ;  and  set  him 
apart  by  the  form  of  ordination  for  the  mere  official  duties 
of  the  episcopacy,  would  seem  a  desecration  of  this  sacred 
rite. 

"But  the  chief  reason  why  the  form  of  episcopal  ordina 
tion  should  be  abolished,  is,  that  it  inculcates  a  distinction 
of  order  in  the  ministry  which  does  not  exist ;  our  bishops 
being  officers  merely,  and  not  a  distinct  order,  as  the  form 
of  ordination  would  seem  to  imply.  And  being  false  and 
delusive  in  appearance,  it  is  miplending  and  pernicious  in 


FP.ee  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


279 


its  effects.  The  historical  and  familiar  associations  of  this 
rite,  forever  pointing  us  to  an  order  of  ministers,  which 
neither  the  Scriptures  nor  the  Discipline  of  our  Church  re- 
cognize, the  effect  is  to  invest  the  bishops  with  a  sanctity 
of  character,  and  give  them  an  elevation  and  popularity 
in  respect  to  other  ministers  of  the  same  order  with  them- 
selves, which  their  office  does  not  confer  upon  them.  Per- 
haps we  might  come  in  time  to  associate  the  rite  of  ordi- 
nation with  a  mere  office  in  the  Church ;  but  if  there  is 
any  reliance  to  be  placed  upon  the  evidence  of  history,  or 
the  results  of  our  own  personal  acquaintance  with  human 
nature,  the  tendencies  will  be  found  to  operate  in  another 
direction ;  and  the  distinction  which  is  accorded  them  from 
motives  of  courtety  or  respect  by  the  use  of  the  form  of 
ordination,  will  both  be  claimed  and  conceded  in  process 
of  time,  as  a  matter  of  right ;  and  then  the  consequences, 
so  natural  to  an  undue  accumulation  of  power  in  the  hands 
of  a  ruler,  must  be  expected  to  follow !  '  The  prudent  man 
foreseeth  the  evil,  and  hideth  himself  And  if  we  would  do 
this,  as  a  Church,  if  we  would  prevent  the  consummation 
of  a  scheme  of  episcopal  ambition  and  tyranny  which  all 
history  admonishes  us  will  be  sure  to  result  from  causes 
now  in  active  operation  among  us — a  scheme  which  is  fast 
developing  itself  in  the  assumption  of  powers  and  prerog- 
atives unwarranted  by  the  constitution  of  the  Church — it 
is  important  that  we  abolish  the  form  of  the  episcopal  or- 
dination, in  which  all  the  elements  of  high-Church  epis- 
copacy, nay,  of  Popery  even,  are  perceived  to  lurk  ! 

"  Another  leading  point  to  be  considered  in  respect  to 
the  modification  of  the  episcopacy,  consists  in  a  quadren- 
nial rotation.  This  point,  as  it  is  far  more  practical  in  its 
nature  and  application,  so  it  is  of  far  greater  importance 
to  the  integrity  and  liberties  of  the  Church  than  the  fore- 
going. The  form  of  ordination  of  bishops,  and  their  per- 
petuity in  office,  both  tending  to  the  same  pernicious  end ; 


280 


A    HISTORY  OF  THK 


the  latter  is  altogetlier  more  to  be  deprecated  and  feared 
than  the  former.  The  one,  investing  the  bishops  with  prac- 
tical autliority,  the  true  import  of  the  rite  being  understood, 
and  placing  them  in  a  condition  to  be  arbitrary  or  despot- 
ic in  their  administration;  the  other,  involving  both  a 
temptation  and  virtual  license  to  exercise  all  the  power, 
implied  in  the  form  of  ordination,  without  limitation  or 
restraint. 

"  We  have  no  desire  to  *  do  aM^ay  episcopacy,  or  destroy 
the  plan  of  our  itinerant  general  superintendency,'  We 
have  always  esteemed  the  episcopal  form  of  Church  gov- 
ernment tlie  most  Scriptural  and  "appropriate ;  and  have 
felt  that  the  might machinery  of  the  itinerant  system, 
belonging  to  our  Church,  could  only  be  kept  in  operation 
and  properly  directed  by  a  motive  power  of  equal  extent 
and  efficiency  with  that  now  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the 
bishops.  But  we  cannot  identify  the  per2)etuity  or  the 
efficiency  of  the  office  with  the  perpetual  incumbency  of 
the  officer.  Much  less  can  we  make  the  existence  of  the 
office  depend  on  such  incumbency.  We  believe  that  the 
office  might  only  exist  upon  the  principle  of  rotation,  but 
that  it  would  possess  still  greater  efficiency  for  all  the  legit- 
imate purposes  of  its  institution  on  that  principle. 

"  Another  reason  still,  and  one  which  certainly  ought 
to  have  weight  with  our  own  people,  for  the  adoption  of 
the  23roposed  rotation  scheme,  is,  that  it  is  required  by  the 
analoyies  of  Methodism.  The  perpetual  incumbency  of 
office  by  the  bishops,  constitutes  a  strange  anomaly  in  the 
history  and  government  of  the  Church  :  there  being  noth- 
ing analagous  to  it  in  any  part  of  our  system.  In  the 
Eritisli  connection,  of  which  we  are  the  offspring  or  de- 
scendants, the  chief  office  among  them — an  episcopacy 
in  fact,  though  not  in  form — is  not  only  filled  by  rotation, 
hut  hy  annual  rotation  even;  and  had  not  Mr.  Wesley 
been  accustomed  to  associate  perpetuity  in  office  with  the 


rEBE  MKTUODIST  CHtJBCH. 


281 


episcopacy  at  home,  it  is  highly  probable  that  in  establish- 
ing the  episcopal  form  of  government  here — a  form  he 
greatly  preferred  to  any  other,  and  felt  himself  at  liberty 
to  prescribe  for  the  Methodist  societies  in  this  country, 
they  having  no  connection  with  any  national  Church — he 
would  have  provided  for  a  succession  of  bishops  in  the 
order,  and  upon  the  principle  of  a  temporary  and  settled 
rotation.  But  be  that  as  it  may,  we  still  maintain  that 
the  incumbency  of  an  office,  and  especially  the  office  of  a 
bishop,  limited  only  by  the  natural  life  of  the  incumbent, 
not  only  falls  out  with  all  the  analogies  of  the  Methodist 
system  ;  but  creates  an  invidious  and  repulsive  distinction, 
placing  it  in  the  hands  of  a  half-a-dozen  officials,  intended 
to  be  the  servants  of  the  Church,  to  '  lord  it  over  God's 
heritage,'  and  with  impunity  to  oppress  the  great  body  of 
the  ministry,  from  whom  they  derive  both  their  office  and 
their  authority ! 

"  But  of  all  the  reasons  for  placing  the  episcopacy  upon 
the  basis  of  a  quadrennial  rotation,  the  greatest  and  most 
vital  to  the  liberties  of  the  Church,  is,  that  it  furnishes  the 
only  adequate  check  upon  episcopal  ambition  and  misrule. 
Irresponsible  power  in  the  hands  of  fallen  man,  except 
where  it  is  restrained  and  modified  by  parental  affi^ction, 
always  degenerates  into  despotism ;  and  the  creation  of 
an  officer  for  life,  at  all  events  if  he  be  of  the  rank  and 
authority  of  a  bishop  of  our  Church,  is  virtually  to  render 
him  independent  of  the  people  he  is  appointed  to  serve, 
and  to  invest  him  with  the  attributes  of  a  tyrant. 

"  If  Paul,  and  Wesley,  and  Asbury,  though  life-time 
superintendents,  were  upright  and  lenient  in  their  admin- 
istration, and  government  of  the  Church,  consulting  the 
rights  and  interests  of  the  people  in  all  their  transactions 
and  doings,  that  furnishes  no  exception  to  the  doctrine 
here  advanced  :  iheiv  people  were  their  children  ;  and  con- 
sequently the  government  was  that  of  fathers  rather  than  of 


282 


A  HISTOKY  OP  THE 


ecclesiastical  rnlers.  The  case  with  respect  to  our  bishops 
is  very  different.  They  sustain  no  such  relation  to  the  peo- 
ple over  whom  they  preside,  and  cannot  be  expected  to 
possess  those  affections  and  sympathies  which  necessarily 
grow  out  of  it.  If  St.  Paul  could  say  to  the  Church  in 
his  time, — 'Though  ye  have  ten  thousand  instructors  in 
Christ,  yet  have  ye  not  many  fathers,'  how  much  more  we 
of  this  day.  Indeed  there  are  none,  since  'the  fathers  'to 
whom  we  have  referred  '  are  fallen  asleep,'  who  can  add 
in  the  farther  language  of  the  apostle, — '  For  in  Christ 
Jesus  I  have  begotten  you  through  the  gospel.'  Even 
our  bishops  are  but  '  instniciors  in  Christ,'  and  not  fathers 
in  the  same  sense  with  Asbury  and  Wesley  and  Paul,  who 
had  '  travailed  in  birth  '  for  the  people  they  so  tenderly 
watched  over  and  provided  for  as  their  sjnritual  children." 

In  place  of  presiding  elders,  a  class  of  officers,  or  sub- 
bishops,  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  tlie  Free  Methodist  denom- 
ination have  wliat  arc  called  cliairmcu  of  districts;  very 
much  in  the  manner  of  the  British  Conference,  or  tlie 
Methodists  of  England :  wliicli  arrangement,  in  view  of 
the  present  dense  population  of  the  country,  the  cousequont 
necessity  for  small  districts  in  these  times  ;  is  undoubtedly 
preferable  to  the  old  Methodist  plan.  The  chief  difference 
between  a  presiding  elder  in  the  old  Church,  and  the  chair- 
man of  a  district  among  the  Free  Methodists,  is,  that  the 
former  gives  his  whole  time  to  the  district,  by  which  also 
he  is  supported  ;  while  the  latter  is  appointed  to  a  circuit 
or  station,  the  same  as  any  other  preacher,  and  has  his 
support  there  ;  the  other  charges  in  the  district  over  which 
he  presides  barely  defraying  his  traveling  expenses  as  he 
goes  out  to  attend  their  Quarterly  Meetings,  and  look  af- 
ter their  interests  on  some  other  occasions. 

The  time  has  been  when  presiding  elders  were  of  use  in 
the  Old  Cliurch  as  an  adjunct  of  the  appointing  power; 
but  surely  there  is  no  occasion  for  thciii  now,  or  bisliops 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


263 


either,  for  that  matter  ;  since  they  do  little  else,  as  things 
now  go,  than  give  their  formal  assent  to  stipulations  pre- 
viously entered  into  between  preachers  and  people,  except 
to  serve  themselves  by  an  unblushing  and  sordid  favorit- 
ism which  they  everywhere  display  in  the  distribution  of 
the  preachers  and  the  supply  of  the  charges  under  their 
care.  But  the  manner  in  whicli  the  preachers  of  the  Free 
Church  are  appointed  to  their  respective  fields  of  labor, 
leaves  little  room  for  this  kind  of  abuse,  as  the  following 
judicious  provision  in  their  disciplinary  arrangements  will 
sufficiently  show : 

"  The  President  of  the  Annual  Conference,  with  the 
chairmen  of  the  several  districts,  with  an  equal  number  of 
laymen,  to  be  elected  by  ballot  the  first  day  of  the  session, 
shall  constitute  a  stationing  committee,  (of  which  the 
President  of  the  Conference  shall  be  chairman,  having  a 
casting  vote,)  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  appoint  the  preach- 
ers to  their  several  fields  of  labor;  provided,  that  uo 
preacher  shall  be  appointed  to  the  same  circuit  or  station 
more  than  two  years  in  succession." 

We  can  only  remark  farther  upon  the  government  of 
the  Free  Methodist  Church,  that  the  lay  element  is  made 
to  enter  largely  into  its  councils — an  equal  number  of  lay 
and  clerical  members  having  seats  in  both  the  General  and 
Annual  Conferences,  with  tlie  same  rights  and  responsibil- 
ities upon  the  floor  of  these  bodies.  And  such  is  the  im- 
portance they  attach  to  lay  delegation,  that,  placing  it  in 
the  same  rank  with  an  itinerant  ministry  and  the  free-seat 
system,  they  have  guarded  its  prospective  integrity  and 
continuance  by  one  of  their  restrictive  rules.  Our  own 
opinion  as  to  any  Scriptural  warrant  there  may  be  for  lay 
delegation,  or  the  expediency  of  its  introduction  as  an  el- 
ement of  Church  government,  will  be  withheld.  Certainly, 
so  far  as  Methodism  is  concerned,  it  is  yet  an  experiment. 


CHAPTER  XVL 


Few  Churches  have  a  more  Scriptural  and  complete 
Church  organization  than  the  Free  Methodists.  None  of 
the  same  age.  True,  this  young  denomination  was  not 
left  to  originate  or  form  her  religious  system  unaided  by 
anything  that  went  before.  The  grand  frame-work,  with 
nearly  all  its  internal  calculations  and  arrangements,  had 
been  already  furnished  to  her  hand,  the  developments  of 
Methodism  for  almost  an  entire  century  leaving  her  little 
else  to  do  but  barely  to  adopt  the  system  with  such  alter- 
ations and  improvements  as  we  have  already  noticed. — 
Much  is  due,  however,  to  the  enlightened  and  pious  zeal 
which  the  Free  Methodist  Church  has  manifested  in  rescu- 
ing Methodism  from  the  perverted  uses  to  which  it  had 
come  to  be  applied  by  the  Episcopal  Methodists,  purging 
it  from  the  corruptions — legislative  and  executive — by 
which  they  had  rendered  it  odious  to  the  community,  and 
employing  it,  in  accordance  with  its  original  design,  for 
the  "  spreading  of  Scriptural  holiness  OTer  the  land."  Her 
institutions  and  usages,  the  same  as  her  Discipline  in  gen- 
eral, and  with  the  same  careful  revision,  are  mostly  bor- 
rowed from  the  Old  Church.  Notbiug  indeed  has  been 
taken  for  granted  ;  nothing  upon  the  ground  of  Church 
authority  ;  everything  has  been  "  weighed  in  the  balance 
of  the  sanctuary,"  and  made  to  conform  to  the  word  and 
will  of  God. 

Among  the  institutions  of  the  Free  Church,  the  Sabbath 
school,  the  missionary  enterprise,  and  the  support  of  the 
ministry — all  of  which  are  well  provided  for  in  the  Dia- 
284 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


285 


cipline — constitute  the  more  prominent.  If  these  insti- 
tutions do  not  take  on  the  form  of  distinct  organizations 
with  this  people,  as  with  some  others,  so  much  the  better; 
the  one  organization  of  the  Church,  as  such,  covers  the 
whole  ground — the  instruction  of  the  children  and  the 
missionary  work  belonging  to  the  pastorate,  and  the  finan- 
cial affairs  of  the  Church  to  the  membership  generally. — 
By  this  plan,  the  complicated  and  cumbrous  machinery  of 
various  specific  associations  is  dispensed  with,  much  ex- 
pense consequently  saved  to  the  Church,  and  the  pastor, 
having  all  these  appliances  more  immediately  under  his 
own  eye,  is  enabled  to  use  them  as  an  appropriate  and 
efficient  auxiliary  in  the  achievement  of  the  great  end  of 
his  calling. 

This  Church,  like  all  others,  has  her  non-scripta  laws, 
commonly  called  customs,  or  usages,  and  yet  possessing 
all  the  force  of  unquestioned  authority.  Her  usages,  in 
general — especially  as  they  relate  to  hospitality,  social  in- 
tercourse, style  of  dress,  family  prayer,  asking  a  blessing 
at  the  table,  camp-meetings,  and  the  like — are  precisely 
the  same  with  those  of  the  early  Methodists,  whom  she  is 
not  ashamed  to  recognize  as  a  most  consistent  and  worthy 
model  in  all  things  of  this  sort.  And  like  her  acknowl- 
edged prototype,  she  stands  aloof  from  all  worldly  amuse- 
ments— "  the  taking  such  diversions  as  cannot  be  used 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus ; "  and,  above  all,  from 
"  gift  concerts,"  "  prize  fairs,"  "  chance  games,"  and  all 
those  pernicious  contrivances  so  much  resorted  to  among 
the  churches  of  modern  times  for  "  raising  money  to  do 
the  Lord's  work."  In  her  view,  all  these  methods  of  ob- 
taining money  proceed  from  the  popish  maxim  that  "  the 
end  justifies  the  means,"  or  the  "doing  evil  that  good  may 
come  ;  "  and  she  looks  upon  all  monies  raised  and  appropri- 
ated in  this  way,  as  an  equal  profanation  of  the  treasury  of 
the  Lord  with  "  the  price  of  a  dog  or  the  hire  of  a  whore." 


286 


A  HISTORY   OF  THE 


By  the  grace  of  God  this  people  "  dare  to  be  singular," 
and  are  so,  in  their  manners,  in  their  conversation,  and  in 
all  the  affairs  of  business  life — "  not  using  many  words  ia 
buying  or  selling  ; "  but  they  dare  "  not  be  conformed  to 
this  world,"  the  very  "  friendship  "  of  which  is  "  enmity 
•with  God,"  and  is  forbidden  on  pain  of  the  Divine  dis- 
pleasure. Indeed,  they  love  singularity,  persecuted  though 
they  are  on  account  of  it — not  so  much  for  its  own  sake, 
as  for  the  sake  of  Christ  who  himself  was  singular,  and 
for  the  singular  blessedness  growing  out  of  it  both  in  this 
world  and  that  w^hich  is  to  come.  They  covet  a  singular 
death,  and  a  singular  inheritance  beyond  the  grave;  and 
they  are  more  than  willing  to  lead  a  singular  life,  in  order 
to  gain  that  high  distinction.  Many  are  ready  to  exclaim, 
"  Let  me  die  the  death  of  these  earnest  Christians,  and  let 
my  last  end  be  like  theirs,"  who  are  not  willing  to  live 
their  life. 

But  if  they  are  determined  to  avoid  the  singularity 
of  the  self-denying  Christian  here,  and  to  appear  so  much 
like  the  world's  people  that  nobody  will  know  they  are 
Christians  while  they  live,  the  fear  is  that  nobody  will 
know  it  when  they  come  to  die — that  they  themselves 
will  not  know  it ;  and,  what  is  still  more  awful,  that  Christ 
their  final  Judge,  will  not  know  it,  but  will  say  to  them 
in  the  great  and  last  day,  "  Depart  from  me,  ye  workers 
of  iniquity,  I  know  you  not  whence  ye  are,  and  shall  ap- 
point them  their  portion  with  hypocrites  and  unbeliev- 
ers !  " 

The  persecution  the  Free  Methodists  are  called  to  en- 
dure, is  no  disparagement  to  them.  The  Saviour  was 
persecuted ;  the  early  Christians,  also,  with  all  their  real 
successors  "in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus  ;"  and 
particularly  the  early  Methodists,  "  against  whom  all  man- 
ner of  evil  was  spoken,"  as  against  the  Free  Methodists  at 
the  present  time.    They,  as  well  as  we,  (for  I  myself  am  a 


FKKE   METHODIST  CHUKCH. 


287 


Free  Methodist,)  were  calumniated,  sneered  at,  shut  out 
ef  the  churches  belonging  to  other  denominations,  and 
prevented,  as  far  as  possible,  from  procuring  sites  and 
building  churches  of  their  own ;  were  denounced  under 
the  opprobrious  appellation  of  enthusiasts,  fanatics,  and 
many  other  titles  of  reproach,  as  we  now  are.  But  all 
this  was  to  be  expected ;  for  our  Divine  Lord  had  long 
before  said,  "  If  any  man  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus, 
he  shall  suffer  persecution ;  "  and  then  we  of  the  Free 
Church  stamp,  whether  of  the  old  or  new  Church  order, 
are  as  far  behind  the  improvements  of  this  progressive 
age,"  in  regard  to  religion,  and  as  utterly  ignorant  of  that 
enliffhtened  piety ''''  which  enables  most  of  the  churches 
now-a-days — the  M.  E.  Churcli  in  particular — to  get  along 
"without  persecution,  as  were  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and 
the  holy  apostles.  Of  course,  we  must  expect  to  be  per- 
secuted "  if  we  live  godly  lives,"  and  chiefly,  as  has  been 
the  case  in  all  ages,  by  churches  "  having  a  name  to  live 
while  they  are  dead." 

The  Ritual  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church  is  the  Ritual 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  slightly  reformed,  and 
brought  into  greater  harmony  with  the  holy  Scriptures 
and  experimental  religion.  Particularly  has  the  Free 
Church  revived,  or  rather  restored  to  the  Discipline,  that 
most  excellent  and  much-needed  rule  by  which  "  the  vile 
practice  of  talking  in  the  congregation,  before  and  after 
service,"  is  emphatically  forbidden.  We  might  easily 
enlarge  upon  the  various  features,  and  great  utility  of  the 
ritualistic  ceremonies  here  brought  to  view — particularly 
as  compared  to  those  of  most  other  churches ;  but  the 
forms  of  worship,  of  ordination,  of  administering  the  sac- 
raments, of  solemnizing  matrimony,  of  the  burial  of  the 
dead,  etc.,  in  the  Old  Church  from  which  the  Ritual  of  the 
Free  Church  has  been  substantially  taken,  are  so  well  and 
generally  known  to  the  public,  that  it  were  superfluous  to 

I 


288  A  HISTORY  OF  THI 


take  the  time  ;  and  especially  so,  as  these  forms  are  being 
constantly  used  by  the  Free  Church  in  all  her  congrega- 
tions throughout  the  land,  where  every  body  who  chooses 
can  take  knowledge  of  them  for  themselves. 

^(0.      .  ..  ti^,  ^  ^^^icJj^  ZRji^ 


CHAPTER  Xni. 


We  are  aware  it  is  said  of  the  Free  Methodists,  that 
"  they  are  a  set  of  enthusiasts,  vainly  imagining  that  they 
can  '  turn  the  world  upside  down '  by  their  rant  and  dec- 
lamation, while  they  are  miserably  destitute  of  anything 
like  education  or  intelligence."  But  such  imputation — 
thrown  upon  them  in  utter  ignorance  of  their  true  char- 
acter, in  some  cases,  and  from  enmity  and  hatred  against 
them  on  account  of  their  uncompromising  opposition  to 
pin,  in  others — is  absolutely  false,  and,  of  course,  does 
tliera  great  injustice.  They  are  clearly  a  persecuted  peo- 
ple— suffering  reproach  and  obloquy  in  the  cause  of  their 
Divine  Master,  as  many  have  done  before  them ;  and  we 
feel  bound  to  vindicate  them  from  aspersions  so  detrimen- 
tal to  their  reputation  and  influence,  and  so  directly  calcu- 
lated to  hinder  the  salvation  of  souls  which  might  other- 
wise be  effected  through  their  instrumentality. 

It  is  true,  "  not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not 
many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  arc  called"  to  be  Free 
Methodists ;  and  yet  they  have  their  '*  honorable  coun- 
8ellor8,"their  men  of  wealth  and  standing  in  the  commu- 
nity, to  some  extent — perhaps  as  many  as  would  be 
consistent  with  their  continuance  in  a  state  of  humiliation 
and  spiritual  prosperity,  after  all.  A  greater  proportion 
of  men  of  pecuniary  means,  and  of  high  political  and  so- 
cial position,  might  become  a  snare  to  them — inciting 
them  to  practices  of  worldliness  and  pride,  and  robbing 
them  of  their  spiritual  life  and  power.  The  offer  of  salva- 
;  tioD,  however,  is  to  all,  and  no  clasi  or  condition  of  the 
I  IS  269 


290 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


human  family  should  be  overlooked  ;  yet  the  mission  of 
the  Free  Methodists,  like  that  of  the  Episcopal  Methodists 
in  the  days  of  their  simplicity,  is  chiefly  to  the  poor,  and 
woe  be  unto  them  when  they  shall  come  to  "  say  to  the 
man  with  a  gold  ring,  in  goodly  apparel.  Sit  thou  here  in 
a  good  place,  and  to  the  man  in  vile  raiment.  Stand  thou 
there,  or  sit  here  under  my  footstool."  Woe  be  unto 
them  when  they  shall  so  far  lose  the  spirit  of  their  Master 
— the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus — as  to  be  ashamed  of  "  the 
poor  for  whom  Christ  died,"  and  discriminate  in  favor  of 
the  rich  for  the  sake  of  popularity  or  worldly  gain. 

But  poor  though  the  Free  JNIethodists  may  be,  generally 
speaking,  they  are  by  no  means  destitute  of  intelligence; 
and  no  people  under  heaven  more  cordially  rejiudiate  the 
idea,  so  often  attributed  to  them,  that  "ignorance  is  the 
mother  of  devotion."  They  are  a  sensible,  well  informed 
people ;  and  from  the  industry  and  enterprise  which  most 
of  them  naturally  possess,  and  which  the  principles  of  the 
religion  they  enjoy  always  inspire  in  experimental  Chris- 
tians, whatever  may  be  their  natural  disposition  or  habits, 
they  are  rapidly  advancing,  as  well  in  the  various  branches 
of  scientific  and  useful  knowledge  as  in  the  ordinary  com- 
forts of  life. 

If  they  were  not  born  in  a  college,  like  the  Old  Church , 
who  have  descended  from  the  Wesleys,  their  founders 
were  college-bred,  and  would  compare  not  unfavorably  with 
those  of  the  Episcopals  who  affect  to  despise  them  for 
their  ignorance  and  want  of  learning. 

Their  high  appreciation  of  education — which  they  look 
upon  as  "  the  hand-maid  of  religion  " — and  of  the  press, 
as  a  powerful  auxiliary  of  the  pulpit,  as  well  as  a  most 
efficient  organ  for  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  in  general, 
may  be  gatliered  from  the  action  officially  had  in  their 
General  and  Annual  Conferences  upon  these  subjects. 

As  early  as  1865,  when  our  young  Church,  as  yet,  was 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


291 


scarcely  able  to  provide  for  the  spiritual  oversight  of  the 
field  upon  which  she  had  entered,  she  found  time  to  look 
after  her  educational  interests,  and  arrange  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  seminaries  of  learning. 

We  learn  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Genesee  Conference 
for  that  year,  that  a  committee  was  appointed  on  educa- 
tion, consisting  of  Asa  Abel,  J.  "W.  Reddy,  F.  J.  Ewell, 
B.  T.  Roberts,  Abram  Lott,  Mark  Johnson,  and  N.  A. 
Bennett. 

In  accordance  with  this  action,  a  board  of  trustees  has 
been  organized,  a  farm  purchased  in  the  town  of  Chili, 
Monroe  county,  N.  Y.,  and  ten  thousand  dollars  raised  on 
subscription  for  the  erection  of  suitable  buildings,  and 
preparations  actively  gone  into  for  putting  them  up  with- 
out delay. 

The  want  of  a  weekly  paper  has  been  very  much  felt 
by  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  and  several  of  the  Annual 
Conferences  have  resolved  on  starting  one.  The  General 
Conference,  too,  has  moved  in  the  same  direction,  having 
appointed  the  Rev.  Levi  Wood  editor,  and  authorized  the 
commencement  of  the  publication  of  such  a  paper  as  soon 
as  five  thousand  dollars  should  be  raised  for  the  purpose. 
The  paper  has  made  its  appearance.  It  is  published  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  is  entitled  The  Free  Methodist. 

The  Earnest  Christian — a  monthly  magazine,  so  favor- 
ably noticed  and  so  fully  endorsed  by  the  Conferences — 
was  started  in  1860  by  the  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  editor  and 
proprietor,  on  his  own  responsibility  :  the  providence  and 
grace  of  God,  and  the  uncertain  patronage  of  the  public 
being  his  only  reliance.  This  excellent  periodical,  for  in- 
tegrity of  purpose,  and  a  spirit  of  bold,  independent,  fear- 
less, Christian  enterprise,  has  no  equal  in  the  department 
of  Church  literature  to  which  it  belongs.  Nor  is  it  at  all 
surpassed  in  its  intellectual  and  scientific  character.  It 
has  a  large  subscription  list  for  its  age — circulating  more 


292 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


or  less  in  almost  every  State  of  the  Union,  and,  to  some 
extent,  in  foreign  countries.  More  recently,  its  editorial 
corps  has  been  somewhat  strengthened,  and  the  principal 
editor  left  a  little  more  at  liberty  to  look  after  the  various 
other  interests  which  claim  his  attention,  in  every  part  of 
the  widely  extended  field  over  which  he  is  called  to  pre- 
side. 

The  statistics  of  this  young  and  rising  denomination — 
the  Free  Methodist  Cliurch — though  exceedingly  flatter- 
ing, all  things  considered,  are  by  no  means  what  they 
would  in  all  probability  have  been,  but  for  two  reasons, 
which  it  is  deemed  important  to  mention. 

In  the  first  place,  the  Old  Church,  now  a  power  in  the 
land,  especially  for  evil,  has  met  her  from  the  first  with 
the  most  determined  02)position — throwing  every  conceiv- 
able obstacle  in  her  way,  and  crippling  her  influence  with 
the  community  by  all  possible  means.  O,  fearful  respon- 
sibility !  What  an  awful  account  must  this  poor,  fallen 
people  render  at  the  last  day,  for  thus  "  oflfending  Christ's 
little  ones  "  of  the  Free  Church  persuasion,  and  thereby 
occasioning  the  loss  of  precious  and  immortal  souls,  who 
might  otherwise  have  been  "  brought  into  the  kingdom," 
and  made  "  heirs  of  everlasting  life." 

And  again,  secondly,  it  is  obvious  she  has  not  sufficiently 
availed  herself  of  the  aggressive  power  of  the  gospel,  but 
has  been  too  well  contented  to  get  happy  herself,  and  look 
after  her  own  internal  afiairs.  Had  she  been  ready  to 
wield  the  o/fensive,  as  well  as  the  f/efensive  weapons  of 
the  Christian  armory,  and  "  carried  the  war  into  Africa," 
she  might  doubtless  have  made  more  conquests  among  the 
vincon verted  than  she  can  now  boast  of  True,  she  has 
had  all  the  weaknesses  and  embarrassments  incident  to 
new  beginnings  to  grapple  with.  And  then,  from  the  for- 
midable opposition  made  against  her  by  the  baptised  ene- 
mies of  the  life  of  religion,  she  has  been  compelled  to  act 


FKKK  MKTUODIST  CUURCH. 


293 


a  good  deal  on  the  defensive  —  nay,  to  straggle  for  very- 
existence;  but,  after  all,  God  would  undoubtedly  have 
sustained  her  amid  all  these  difficulties,  and  caused  her  to 
flourish  still  more  abundantly,  had  she  cast  her  care  upon 
Him  and  gone  into  the  field  in  a  more  aggressive  manner. 
At  ail  events,  as  she  has  become  stronger  in  numbers  and 
•wealth,  and  the  hold  she  has  upon  public  confidence,  than 
formerly  —  as  also  in  her  experience  with  respect  to  the 
tactics  of  Christian  warfare  —  it  is  hoped  that  she  will 
hereafter  turn  her  ministrations  and  movements  more  pro- 
portionately in  this  direction. 

The  following  table  of  statistics,  showing  both  her  nu- 
merical and  financial  condition  in  1870,  is  taken  from^he 
Minutes  of  the  several  Annual  Conferences  for  that  year: 

SUMMARY  OF  STATISTICS. 


No.  of 
Preachers. 

No.  of 
Members. 

Value  of 
Church  Property. 

Michigan  Conference, 

24 

1063 

$12,600 

Illinois  Conference, 
Kansas  Conference, 

29 

1634 

54,100 

6 

200 

Susquelianna  Conference, 

37 

1677 

53,500 

Genesee  Conference, 

33 

1983 

114,500 

129 

6556 

1234,700 

Having  now  gone  over  the  ground  of  the  history  of  the 
Free  Methodist  Church,  in  the  best  manner  our  time  and 
ability,  and  the  sources  of  information  to  which  we  have 
had  access,  would  admit  of,  we  are  brought,  by  an  array 
of  evidence  we  can  neither  gainsay  nor  resist,  to  the  fol- 
lowing conclusions:  First,  That  there  was  ample  occasion 
for  the  formation  of  another  Methodist  Chui'ch  at  the 
time  this  new  organization  arose.  Secondly,  That  the 
Free  Methodists  are  a  veritable  Church  of  Christ  —  enti- 
tled to  recognition  and  fellowship  as  such,  on  the  part  of 
other  Christian  churches,  and  to  all  the  intercommunica- 
tions and  courtesies  due  from  one  denomination  to  another. 


294 


A   HTBTORT  OF  THK 


And  Thirdly,  Tliat  they  are,  to  all  intents  and  purposes, 
in  the  apostolical  succession, 

Wc  shall  spend  no  time  in  arguing  the  necessity  of  the 
formation  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  feeling  assured 
that  all  who  look  over  our  history  with  an  impartial  or 
unprejudiced  eye,  will  come  to  the  same  conclusion.  Nor 
shall  we  stop  to  notice  any  one  who  may  allow  himself  to 
question  the  validity  of  her  claim  to  be  regarded  as  a  real 
Christian  Church,  after  having  compared  her  character 
and  history  with  the  definition  which  both  she,  and  the 
M.  E.  Church  before  her,  have  given  of  such  Church  in 
their  respective  church  formulas.    They  both  say,  in  their 
Article  of  Religion  on  the  subject,  "  The  visible  Church 
of  Christ  is  a  congregation  of  faithful  men,  in  which  the 
pure  word  of  God  is  preached,  and  the  sacraments  duly 
administered  according  to  Christ's  ordinance,  in  all  those 
things  that  of  necessity  are  requisite  to  the  same  ;  "  and 
in  the  "  General  Rules,"  to  which  they  both  alike  subscribe, 
with  respect  to  this  matter  especially,  "  Such  a  society 
[Church,]  is  no  other  than  a  company  of  men  having  the 
form  of  godliness,  tmited  in  order  to  pray  together,  to  re- 
ceive the  word  of  exhortation,  and  to  watch  over  one  an- 
other in  love,  that  they  m,ay  help  each  other  to  work  out 
their  salvation."    No  language  could  more  exactly  char- 
acterize and  describe  the  Free  Methodist  people  ;  for  such 
are  peculiarly  their  organization,  their  objects,  and  their 
habits  of  life.    And  if  they  are  not  a  genuine  Christian 
Church,  where,  we  would  ask,  shall  we  look  for  one  ? — 
Where  ? 

We  say  we  shall  not  trouble  ourselves  to  reason  with 
those  who  are  so  unreasonable  as  to  dispute  the  necessity 
of  the  formation  of  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  under  the 
circumstances,  or  the  validity  of  her  claim  to  be  regarded 
and  treated  as  a  veritable  Church  of  Christ;  but  though 
the  veiy  fact  of  her  being  a  Christian  Church  would  of 


FREE   METHODIST  CHURCH. 


295 


itself  place  her  in  the  apostolical  succession,  yet  there  are 
certain  aspects  of  the  case,  which  will  more  fully  develop 
themselves  as  we  proceed,  in  which  the  last  particular  de- 
serves to  be  considered  a  little  more  at  length. 

The  dogma  of  apostolical  succession,  as  maintained  by 
the  Church  of  Rome,  though  not  held  by  Protestant 
churches — with  two  or  three  exceptions — directly  and  in 
form,  is  nevertheless  adopted  by  the  greater  part  of  them 
in  fact — as  their  practical  exclusiveness,  with  respect  to 
some  branches  of  the  Church  universal,  sufficiently  shows. 
All  history  advises  us,  that  a  church  no  sooner  loses  the 
inward  life  of  religion,  than  they  forthwith  contrive  to 
substitate  some  external  or  outward  form  in  its  place. — 
Among  other  grounds  of  dependence  for  salvation  in  such 
cases,  and  that  on  which  fallen  churches  chiefly  rely,  is 
found  some  sort  of  succession.  Their  descent,  either  nat- 
ural or  spiritual,  from  some  distinguished  personage,  sect, 
or  founder,  is  usually  resorted  to  for  this  purpose,  and  in- 
sieted  on  with  a  tenacity  that  might  well  put  the  zeal  of 
the  living  Christian  himself  to  the  blush. 

The  succession  on  which  the  Jewish  Church  vaunted 
themselves,  when  fallen,  consisted  in  their  natural  descent 
from  Abraham — a  ground  of  reliance  far  more  plausible 
than  that  of  any  other  church  who  rest  their  claims  upon 
mere  external  considerations  ;  since  God  had  entered  into 
church  covenant  with  them  in  the  most  solemn  manner ; 
engaging  to  "  be  their  God,"  and  to  regard  and  treat  them 
as  "  his  peculiar  people."  But  what  did  all  this  avail 
them  when  they  went  astray,  "  forsaking  the  Lord  that 
bought  them,"  and  even  rejecting  and  crucifying  their 
own  and  the  world's  Divinely-promised  and  long-looked-for 
Messiah?  What  did  their  natural  desoent  from  "the 
father  of  the  faithful " — their  covenant  relation  to  a  cove- 
nant-keeping God — their  boasted  succession,  avail  them 
then  ?    Let  their  ultimate  judicial  blindness,  their  final 


\ 

296  A  HISTORY   OF  THE 


rejection  from  being  the  Church  and  people  of  God,  and 
the  awful  declaration  of  the  Saviour  that  "  publicans  and 
harlots  should  go  into  the  kingdom  of  God  before  them," 
answer ! 

The  succession  of  the  Church  of  Rome  consists  in  their 
spiritual  descent,  through  an  unbroken  line  of  episcopal 
ordination,  from  the  apostles.  But  suppose  she  were 
pven  able  to  trace  her  ghostly  lineage  through  what  is 
called  the  apostolical  succession  to  the  chair  of  St.  Peter, 
(which,  by-the-by,  is  the  merest  fiction,)  how  would  that 
establish  her  claim,  not  to  be  regarded  as  the  Church  to 
the  exclusion  of  all  others,  but  to  be  a  church  at  all  ?  since 
God  himself  has  "  written  npon  her  forehead.  Mystery, 
Babylon  the  great,  the  mother  of  harlots  and  abominations 
of  the  earth  ;  "  and  declared,  as  "  the  judgment  of  the 
great  whore,"  that  she  shall  be  finally  and  forever  cast  off, 
and,  with  "  all  whose  names  are  not  written  in  the  book 
of  life,  go  into  perdition !  "  Let  our  High  Church,  Pusey- 
ite  Episcopalians — whose  only  character  and  hopes,  as  a 
Church,  depend  on  the  same  imaginary  line  of  succession, 
and  whose  prospective  end,  it  is  to  be  feared,  will  be  the 
same — ask  themselves,  whether  the  proud  gratification 
they  feel  in  their  swelling,  swaggering,  anti-Christian  exclu. 
siveness,  seems  likely  to  compensate  them  for  such  a  doom ! 

But  there  are  many  other  churches,  as  we  have  already 
remarked,  besides  those,  who  virtually  go  in  for  succes- 
sion ;  the  only  differences  between  the  two  classes,  bating 
the  profession,  being,  that  the  one  found  their  pretensions 
on  an  unbroken  line  of  episcopal  ordination,  and  the  other 
on  some  external  rite,  ceremony,  or  contrivance — better 
suited,  as  they  suppose,  to  their  respective  organizations 
and  purposes.  But  Catholics  and  Protestants  alike,  with 
few  exceptions,  maintain,  in  one  way  or  another,  the  hum- 
bug of  succession.  It  was  of  those  churches,  however, 
who  maintain  the  figment  of  succession  in  fact,  rather 


FKKE  METHODIST  CHUEC'H, 


297 


than  in  form,  that  we  intended  more  particularly  to  Bpeak. 
And  yet  we  have  not  lost  our  labor,  nor  missed  the  mark 
at  wkich  we  aimed ;  since  the  position  of  the  Church  of 
Rome,  and  some  others  who  formally  maintain  the  succes- 
bion  scheme,  8o  fully  illustrates  the  principles  on  which  it 
rests,  that  a  brief  allusion  to  one  or  two  churches  who  are 
successionists  in  practice  merely,  will  very  appropriately 
introduce  what  it  may  be  necessary  to  say  concerning  the 
Free  Methodists  in  this  connection. 

The  succession  of  the  Anabaptists,  as  a  body,  consists 
in  an  unbroken  line  of  immersionists — the  authority  to 
baptize,  and  the  validity  of  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  hav- 
ing been  lineally  transmitted  from  some  former  institution 
or  example  down  to  the  present  time.  But  whether  they 
run  it  back  to  "  Roger  Williams,"  or  "  John  of  Leydon," 
or  "  John  the  Baptist" — the  forerunner  of  Christ, — the 
obscurity  in  which  the  subject  is  involved,  and  the  con- 
flicting opinions  entertained  concerning  it,  renders  it  ex- 
tremely difficult  to  determine.  Nor  is  it  quite  certain 
whether  they  consider  it  a  saving  ordinance,  or  not.  Con- 
sistency, however,  requires  that  they  esteem  it  to  be  sav- 
ing, believing  that  none  can  get  to  heaven  except  they 
go  through  this  line  ;  else  why  maintain  it  to  the  exclusion 
of  all  Christians,  except  their  own  order,  from  the  table 
of  the  Lord  ?  Why  not  commune  with  Christians  who 
have  not  been  immersed  ?  God  communes  with  them,  of 
course,  if  they  be  Christians  at  all ;  and  are  they  holier 
than  God  ?  But  as  their  succession,  whatever  it  may  be, 
has  not  sufficed  to  save  them  from  the  general  defection 
of  the  churches  of  our  day,  so  neither  will  it  suffice  to 
save  them  from  their  doom,  even  though  immersed  by 
"  John  the  Baptist "  himself,  and  that  too  in  the  veritable 
old  Jordan,  whose  waters  they  appear  to  esteem  more  sa- 
cred than  all  others  upon  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  claims  to  be  in  the 
13* 


^98 


A  HISTORY  OF  TlIK 


Buccession  of  Wesleyan  Methodism :  and  so  she  was,  once, 
as  also  in  the  succession  of  Apostolical  Christianity  ;  for 
Wesleyan  "  Methodism  is  Christianity  in  earnest,"  and  to 
be  in  the  succession  of  the  one,  therefore,  is  to  be  in  the 
Buccession  of  the  other.  But  whether  she  is  strictly  and 
properly  in  the  succession  of  either  now,  must  depend  on 
what  we  understand  by  succession.  If  taken  in  a  merely 
nominal  acceptation,  or  a  continued  visibility  of  the  same 
organization,  with  the  same  forms  of  government  and 
worship,  then  indeed  she  may,  perchance,  be  in  the  Wes- 
leyan succession.  But  if  it  be  understood  to  consist  in 
maintaining  the  same  fixith — doctrinal,  experimental,  and 
practical — the  only  true  succession,  it  is  extremely  ques- 
tionable whether  her  claim  can  be  allowed.  Like  the  an- 
cient Sardian  Church,  while  she  "has  a  few  names"  within 
her  pale  "  who  have  not  defiled  their  garments,"  yet,  as  a 
church,  she  evidently  "  has  a  name  to  live,  and  is  dead." 
She  may  glory  in  her  lineal  descent  from  Wesley  and  the 
early  Methodist  fathers — as  if  their  reputation  for  piety 
and  zeal,  coming  down  to  her  by  a  sort  of  imputation,  were 
an  all-sutficieut  passport  to  public  favor  and  to  heaven, — 
just  as  the  Jewish  Church  trusted  in  their  descent  from 
Abraham  and  Moses,  and  the  Catholic  from  St.  Peter  or 
the  apostles  ;  while  she  has  little  more  internal  or  spiritual 
conformity  to  her  boasted  Archetype  or  Founder  than  the 
present  race  of  Jews  or  Catholics  to  theirs.  Had  she  the 
faith  and  piety  of  the  early  Methodists,  she  might  well 
talk  of  her  Methodistic  or  Wesleyan  succession ;  but  to 
succeed  them  in  name  and  church  organization  merely — 
just  as  the  Church  of  Rome  succeeds  the  Apostolic  Church 
— while  she  is  practically,  if  not  theoretically  and  profes- 
Bedly,  opposed  to  holiness,  their  chief  characteristic,  but 
aggravates  her  guilt  as  a  fallen  Church,  and  shows  her 
succession,  much  as  she  may  value  herself  upon  it,  to  be 
miserable  delusion. 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


299 


Strictly  and  properly  speaking,  (if  we  have  a  correct 
understanding  of  the  matter,)  the  Free  Methodist  Church, 
instead  of  the  Episcopal  Methodists,  are  in  the  Apostolico- 
Wcsleyan  succession  ;  and  we  doubt  not  that  all  who  look 
at  the  history  of  the  two  denominations,  respectively,  in 
the  light  of  our  standard  authorities  on  the  subject  of  suc- 
cession, will  be  of  the  same  opinion.  She  has  the  faith,  the 
practice,  the  spirit,  the  life  and  the  power  of  pure  Wesleyan 
Methodism  ;  therefore  she  is  in  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
succession  according  to  our  own  standards. 

Thomas  Powell,  a  \V'esleyan  minister,  maintains,  (giving 
a  host  of  the  fathers,  with  Wesley  and  Watson  and  other 
modern  divines  to  the  same  effect,)  that  "  The  only  true 
succession  essential  to  the  existence  of  a  Christian  Church, 
is  the  succession  of  faith,  of  truth  of  doctrine,  and  holi- 
ness of  life."  And  then  adds,  "  God  has  always  had  a 
true  Church  :  and  he  always  will  have  a  true  Church.  The 
gates  of  hell  have  never  prevailed  against  it,  and  we  are 
assured  by  Himself  that  they  never  shall.  The  Church  (he 
proceeds,)  has  always  stood,  as  to  its  foundation,  on  the 
truth,  and  faithfulness,  and  power  of  God ;  and  never  on 
any  ceremonies  or  circumstances  of  church  government, 
or  any  order  of  me7i :  thus  shall  it  stand  fokever."  The 
language  of  the  venerable  Bishop  White,  corroborative  of 
the  above,  as  quoted  by  Mr.  Powell,  is,  "  Wheresoever  the 
true  faith  cofitained  in  the  Scriptures  is  professed  and  etn- 
braced,  there  is  the  whole  and  full  nature  of  an  Apostolical 
Church.''''  And  Whitaker,  also,  quoted  by  the  same  au- 
thor, and  to  the  same  effect,  says,  "  Faith  is  the  soul  of 
succession ;  which  faith  being  wanting,  the  naked  succes- 
sion of  persons  is  like  a  dead  carcass  without  the  soul.''' 

If,  then,  the  apostolic  succession  itself  is  of  no  avail 
without  a  living,  loving,  obedient  faith  in  Christ — and 
they  are  no  Church  even,  whatever  may  be  their  external 
relation  to  the  ajiostolic  see,  without  this  evangelical  faith, 


300 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


— how  superlatively  ridiculous  it  were  to  pique  ourselves 
upon  the  simple  circumstances  that  we  are  nominally  in  the 
succession  of  John  Wesley  and  the  early  Methodist  fathers, 
and  be  forever  harping  upon  "  our  glorious  old  Methodism," 
having  nothing  but  the  shell— as  if  that  were  an  all-suffi- 
cient guarantee  for  the  realization  of  our  cherished  Chris- 
tian hopes  and  prospects.  We  would  by  no  means  take  it 
upon  ourselves  to  determine  the  moral  status  of  the  dear 
old  Church  with  which  we  have  been  connected  for  more 
than  half  a  century — we  leave  this  in  better  hands ;  but 
judging  of  her  by  the  criterion  above  laid  down,  we  must 
honestly  doubt  whether  she  is  now  in  the  true  succession, 
either  apostolical  or  Wesleyan.  Much  less  can  we  admit 
that  she  is  there  to  the  exclusion  of  the  youngest  and  last- 
born  member  of  the  great  Methodist  family,  whom  she 
disdainfully  refuses  to  recognize  or  fellowship  in  that  re- 
lation. 

But  leaving  her  to  her  fate — feeling  that  she  is  in  the 
hands  of  One  who  is  infinitely  better  qualified  to  dispose 
of  her  according  to  the  principles  of  truth  and  justice  than 
we  can  pretend  to  be — we  feel  bound  to  say,  that  in  our 
humble  opinion,  the  Free  Methodist  Church,  according  to 
our  own  authorities  and  standards  of  judgment  in  the 
premises,  is  truly  and  properly  in  the  Apostolico- Wesleyan 
succession ;  that  she  is  of  course  in  the  succession  of  pure, 
primitive  Methodism  ;  nay,  that  she  is,  de  facto,  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  itself,  the  ground  she  occupies 
having  been  vacated  by  her  fallen  predecessor — the  Church 
that  now  bears  that  forfeited  name. 

It  only  remains,  before  coming  to  the  Appendix,  to  ad- 
minister to  our  young  and  rising  Church  the  following 
very  impressive  apostolical  admonition:  "Well:  because 
of  unbelief  they  were  broken  off,  and  thou  standost  by 
faith.  Be  not  high-minded,  but  fear:  for  if  God  spared 
not  the  natural  branches,  take  heed  lest  he  spare  not  thee." 


APPENDIX. 


"Wk  shall  here,  according  to  promise,  present  to  our 
readers  the  article  entitled  "  New-school  Methodism," 
publislied  in  the  JVbrther)i  Independent  over  the  signature 
of  Rev.  B.  T.  Roberts,  that  they  may  see  the  ostensible 
ground  of  the  Genesee  Conference  for  expelling  a  distin- 
guished member  of  their  body,  whom  they  had  previously 
determined  to  get  rid  of  or  destroy  in  some  way  for  his 
faithful  denunciations  of  the  sins  of  the  Church,  and  ear- 
nest devotion  to  the  cause  of  God  and  Methodism. 

NEW-SCHOOL  METHODISM. 

The  best  seed,  sown  from  year  to  year  on  poor  soil, 
gradually  degenerates.  The  acorn,  from  the  stately  oak, 
planted  upon  the  arid  plain,  becomes  a  stinted  shrub. — 
Ever  since  the  fall,  the  human  heart  has  proved  a  soil 
unfavorable  to  the  growth  of  truth. 

Noxious  weeds  flourish  everywhere  spontaneously,  while 
the  useful  grains  require  diligent  cultivation. 

Correct  principles  implanted  in  the  mind  need  constant 
attention,  or  monstrous  errors  will  overtop  them  and  root 
them  out.  Every  old  nation  tells  the  tale  of  her  own  de- 
generacy, atfd  points  to  the  golden  age  when  truth  and 
justice  reigned  among  men. 

Religious  truth  is  not  exempt  from  this  liability  to  cor- 
ruption. "  God  will  take  care  of  his  own  cause,"  is  a 
maxim  often  quoted  by  the  cowardly  and  the  comprorai- 
eing,  as  an  apology  for  their  base  defection.  When  His 
servants  are  faithful  to  the  trusts  reposed  in  them,  it  is 
aoi 


302 


A  HISTORY  OP  THE 


gloriously  true ;  when  they  waver,  His  cause  suffers.  The 
churches  planted  by  the  Apostles,  and  watered  by  the 
blood  of  martyrs,  now  outvie  heathenism  itself  in  their 
corruptions.  No  other  parts  of  the  world  are  so  inaccess- 
ible to  gospel  truth  as  those  countries  where  the  Romish 
and  Greek  Churches  hold  dominion. 

As  a  denomination,  we  are  just  as  liable  to  fall  by  cor- 
rupting influences,  as  any  were  that  have  flourished  before 
us.  We  enjoy  no  immunity  from  danger.  Already  there 
is  springing  up  among  us  a  class  of  preachers  whose  teach- 
ing is  very  different  from  that  of  the  fathers  of  Method- 
ism. They  may  be  found  here  and  there  throughout  our 
Zion  ;  but  in  the  Genesee  Conference  they  act  as  an  asso- 
ciate body.  They  number  about  thirty.  During  the  last 
session  of  this  Conference,  they  held  several  secret  meet- 
ings, in  which  they  concerted  a  plan  to  carry  their  meas- 
ures and  spread  their  doctrines.  They  have  openly  made 
the  issue  in  the  Conference.  It  is  divided.  Two  distinct 
parties  exist.  With  the  one  or  the  other  every  preacher 
is  in  sympathy.  This  difference  is  fundamental.  It  does 
not  relate  to  things  indifferent,  but  to  those  of  the  most 
vital  importance.  It  involves  nothing  less  than  the  nature 
itself  of  Christianity. 

In  showing  the  doctrines  of  the  New-School  Method- 
ists, we  shall  quote  from  The  Advocate  of  the  sect,  pub- 
lished at  Buffalo.  This  is  the  organ  of  the  party.  It  is 
sustained  by  them.  They  act  as  its  agents.  Where  their 
influence  prevails,  it  is  circulated  to  the  exclusion  of  other 
religious  papers.  Its  former  title  was  "  The  Buffalo 
Christian  Advocate.''"'  But  since  its  open  avowal  of  the 
new  doctrines,  it  has  significantly  dropped  from  its  cap- 
tion the  expressive  word,  "  Christian.''''  This  omission  is 
full  of  meaning.  It  is,  however,  highly  proper,  as  we 
shall  see  when  we  examine  its  new  theory  of  religion.  We 
commend  the  editor  for  this  instance  of  honesty.    It  is 


FSBB  METHODIST  CHUBCH. 


303 


now  simply  "  The  Advocate  ;  "  that  is,  the  only  Advocate 
of  the  tenets  it  defends. 

The  New-School  Methodists  affect  as  great  a  degree  of 
liberalism  as  do  Theodore  Parker  and  Mr.  Newman.  They 
profess  "  charity  "  for  everybody  except  their  brethi-en  of 
the  Old  School.  In  an  article  on  "  Creeds,"  publislied  in 
The  Advocate  of  April  16th,  under  the  signature  of  W., 
the  Rev.  writer — a  prominent  New-School  minister — lays 
it  on  to  "  the  sects  whose  watchword  is  a  creed,"  in  a  man- 
ner not  unworthy  of  Alexander  Campbell  himself.  He 
says,  "  No  matter  how  holy  and  blameless  a  man's  life 
may  be,  if  he  has  the  temerity  to  question  any  tenet  of 
'  orthodoxy,'  he  is  at  once,  in  due  ecclesiastical  form,  con- 
signed to  the  Devil,  as  a  heretic  and  infidel.  Thus  are 
fetters  of  a  spiritual  despotism  thrown  around  the  human 
reason.  .  .  .  And  so  it  has  come  to  pass,  that  in  the 
estimation  of  multitudes,  the  teachings  of  Paul  are  eclipsed 
by  the  theories  of  Calvin,  and  the  writings  of  John  Wes- 
ley are  held  in  higher  veneration  than  the  inspired  words 
of  St.  John."    Is  not  that  a  modest  charge  ? 

But  their  theory  of  religion  ;s  more  fully  set  forth  in 
the  leading  editorial  of  The  Advocate  for  May  14th,  under 
the  title,  "  Christianity  a  Religion  of  Beneficence  rather 
than  of  Devotion."  Though  it  appears  as  editorial,  we 
have  good  reason  to  believe  that  it  was  written  by  a  lead- 
ing New-School  member  of  the  Genesee  Conference.  It 
has  not  been  disavowed  by  that  party.  Though  it  has 
been  before  the  public  for  months,  no  one  has  expressed  a 
dissent  from  its  positions.  It  is  fair  to  presume  that  it 
represents  the  views  of  the  leaders  of  this  new  movement. 

It  says,  "  Christianity  is  not  characteristically  a  system 
of  devotion.  It  has  none  of  those  features  which  must 
distinguish  a  religion  grounded  on  the  idea,  that  to  adore 
the  Divine  character  is  the  most  imperative  obligation 
resting  upon  human  beings.    It  enjoins  the  observance  of 


304 


A    HISTORY   OF  THE 


but  very  few  sacred  rites  ;  nor  does  it  prescribe  any  par- 
ticular  mode  for  paying  homage  to  the  Deity.  It  eschews 
all  exterior  forms,  and  teaches  that  they  who  worship  God 
must  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth." 

The  Old-School  Methodists  hold,  that  "  to  adore  the  Di- 
vine character  "  is  the  most  imperative  obligation  resting 
upon  human  beings ;  that  Christianity  has  all  of  those 
features  that  must  distinguish  a  religion  grounded  on  this 
idea.  That  he  who  worships  God  rightly,  will,  as  a  neces- 
sary consequence,  possess  all  social  and  moral  virtues ; 
that  the  gospel  does  not  leave  its  votaries  to  choose,  if 
they  please,  the  degrading  rites  of  heathenism,  or  the  su- 
perstitious abominations  of  Popery  ;  but  prescribes  prayer 
and  praise,  and  the  observance  of  the  sacraments  of  bap- 
tism and  the  Lord's  Supper,  "  as  particular  modes  of  pay- 
ing homage  to  the  Deity."  That  there  is  no  necessity  for 
antagonism,  as  Infidels' and  Universalists  are  wont  to  af- 
fiiTn,  between  spiritual  worship  and  the  forms  of  worship 
instituted  by  Christ. 

The  following  sneer  is  not  unworthy  of  Thomas  Paine 
himself.  It  falls  below  the  dignity  of  Voltaire.  "  Chris- 
tianity in  nowise  gives  countenance  to  the  supposition, 
that  the  Great  Jehovah  is  so  affected  with  the  intirmity 
of  vanity,  as  to  receive,  with  peculiarly  grateful  emotions, 
the  attention  and  offerings  which  poor  human-  creatures 
may  pay  directly  to  Him  in  worship." 

The  above  may  be  sufficient  to  show  what  Christianity 
is  not,  in  the  opinion  of  these  New-School  Divines.  Let 
us  now  see  what  it  is.  "  The  characteristic  idea  of  this 
system  is  benevolence;  and  its  practical  realization  is 
achieved  in  beneficence.  It  consecrates  the  principle  of 
charity,  and  instructs  its  votaries  to  regard  good  works  as 
the  holiest  sacrifice,  and  the  most  acceptable  which  they 
can  bring  to  the  Almighty. 


FKEK  METHODIST  CIIURCn. 


305 


"  WTiatever  graces  may  be  neceeeary  to  constitute  tlie 
inner  Christian  life,  the  chief  and  principal  one  of  these, 
is  love  to  ma7i.  .  .  .  The  great  condition  upon  "which 
one  l^ecomes  a  participant  of  the  gospel  salvation,  is — 
some  practical  exhibition  of  self  abnegation,  of  self-sacrifice 
for  the  good  of  others.  Go  sell  all  that  t/iou  hast,  and 
give  to  the  poor,  were  the  only  terms  of  salvation  which 
Christ  proposed  to  the  young  man  who,  otherwise,  was  not 
far  from  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

The  Old-School  Methodists  hold  that  benevolence  is  only 
one  of  the  fruits  of  true  religion,  but  by  no  means  the 
thing  itself.  In  their  view,  "  the  principal  grace  of  the 
inner  Christian  life  "  is  love  to  God  ;  and  "  the  most  ac- 
ceptable sacrifice "  we  can  render  Him,  is  a  broken  and 
contrite  heart.  They  teach  that  the  great  condition  upon 
which  one  becomes  "  a  participant  of  the  gospel  salvation  " 
IS  FAiTu  IN  Christ — preceded  by  repentance.  They  read 
in  the  gospel  that  the  young  man  referred  to,  was  com- 
manded by  Christ  to  "  Come,  take  up  the  cross  and  follow 
?»e."  The  giving  of  his  goods  to  the  poor  was  only  pre- 
paratory to  this. 

The  New-School  Methodists  hold  that  justification  and 
entire  sanctification,  or  holiness,  are  the  same ;  that  when 
a  sinner  is  pardoned,  he  is  at  the  same  time  made  holy  ; 
that  all  the  spiritual  change  he  may  henceforth  expect,  la 
simply  a  growth  in  grace.  When  they  speak  of  "  holi- 
ness," they  mean  by  it  the  same  as  do  evangelical  minis- 
ters of  those  denominations  which  do  not  receive  the  doc- 
trines taught  by  Wesley  and  Fletcher  on  this  subject. 

According  to  the  Old-School  Methodists,  merely  justified 
persons,  while  they  do  not  outwardly  commit  sin,  are  con- 
Bcious  of  sin  stUl  remaining  in  the  heart — such  as  pride, 
self-will,  and  unbelief  They  continually  feel  a  heart  bent 
to  backsliding ;  a  natural  tendency  to  evil ;  a  proneness 
to  depart  from  God,  and  cling  to  the  things  of  earth.— 


306 


A  U18T0UY  OP  THE 


Those  that  are  sanctified  wholly  are  saved  from  all  in- 
ward sin,  from  evil  thoughts,  and  evil  tempers.  No  wrong 
temper,  none  contrary  to  love,  remains  in  the  soul.  All 
the  thoughts,  words  and  actions,  are  governed  by  pure 
love. 

The  New-School  ministers  have  the  frankness  to  ac- 
knowledge that  their  doctrines  are  not  the  doctrines  of  the 
Church.  They  have  undertaken  to  correct  the  teachings 
of  her  standard  authors.  In  the  same  editorial  of  The 
Advocate,  from  which  we  have  quoted  so  largely,  we  read: 
"  So  in  the  exercises  and  means  of  grace  instituted  by  the 
Churcli,  it  is  clearly  apparent  that  respect  is  had,  rather 
to  the  excitation  of  the  religious  sensibilities,  and  the  cul- 
ture of  emotional  piety,  than  the  development  of  genial 
and  humane  dispositions,  and  the  formation  of  habits  of 
active,  vigorous  goodness." 

Here  the  evils  complained  of  are  charged  upon  "  the 
exercises  and  means  of  grace,  instituted  by  the  Church?'' — 
They  do  not  result  from  a  perversion  of  the  means  of 
grace,  but  are  the  effects  intended  to  be  produced  in  their 
institution.  It  is  the  Church,  then,  that  is  wrong — and 
eo  far  wrong  that  she  does  not  even  aim  at  the  develop- 
ment of  proper  Christian  chaiUcter.  "The  means  of 
grace,"  in  the  use  of  which  an  Asbury,  an  Olin,  a  Hedding, 
and  a  host  of  worthies  departed  and  living,  were  nurtured 
to  spiritual  manhood,  must  be  abolished ;  and  others, 
adapted  to  the"  development  of  genial  and  humane  disposi- 
tions," established  in  their  place.  The  lodge  must  super- 
sede the  class  and  the  love-feast  ;  and  the  old-fasliioned 
prayer-meeting  must  give  way  to  the  social  party  !  Those 
who  adopted  or  founded  "  the  exercises  and  means  of 
grace  instituted  by  the  Church" — Paul  and  Peter,  the 
Martyrs,  and  Reformers,  Luther  and  Wesley,  Calvin  and 
Edwards — all  have  failed  to  comprehend  the  true  idea  of 
Christianity  ;  for  these  all  held  that  the  sinner  was  justified 


FREE  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


307 


by  Faith  in  Christ,  and  not  by  "  some  practical  exhibition 
of  self-abnegation."  The  honor  of  distinctly  apprehend- 
ing and  clearly  stating  the  true  genius  of  Christianity, 
was  reserved  for  a  few  divines  of  the  nineteenth  century  ! 

In  our  ne.\t  we  shall  show  the  usages  and  results,  so  far 
as  developed,  of  Xew-School  Methodism. 

USAGES  RESULTS. 

Differing  thus  in  their  views  of  religion,  the  Old  and 
New-School  Methodists  necessarily  differ  in  their  measures 
for  its  promotion.  The  latter  build  stock  churches,  and 
furnish  them  with  pews  to  accommodate  a  select  congre- 
gation ;  and  with  organs,  melodeons,  violins,  and  profes- 
sional singers,  to  execute  difficult  pieces  of  music  for  a 
fashionable  audience.  The  former  favor  free  churches, 
congregational  singing,  and  spirituality,  simplicity  and 
fervency  in  worship.  They  endeavor  to  promote  revivals, 
deep  and  thorough  ;  such  as  were  common  under  the  la- 
bors of  the  Fathers;  such  as  have  made  Methodism  the 
leading  denomination  of  the  land.  The  leaders  of  the  New- 
Divinity  movement  are  not  remarkable  for  promoting  re- 
vivals ;  and  those  which  do,  occasionally,  occur  among 
them,  may  generally  be  characterized  as  the  editor  of  The 
Advocate  designated  one  which  fell  under  his  notice,  as 
^'■splendid  revivals^  Preachers  of  the  old  stamp  urge 
upon  all  who  would  gain  heaven,  the  necessity  of  self- 
denial — non-conformity  to  the  world — purity  of  heart  and 
holiness  of  life ;  while  the  others  ridicule  singularity,  en- 
courage by  their  silence — and  in  some  cases  by  their  own 
example,  and  that  of  their  wives  and  daughters — ".the 
putting  on  of  gold  and  costly  apparel,"  and  treat  with 
distrust  all  professions  of  deep  Christian  experience.  When 
these  desire  to  raise  money  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church, 
they  have  recourse  to  the  selling  of  pews  to  the  highest 
bidder ;  to  parties  of  pleasure,  oyster  suppers,  fairs,  grab- 


308 


A  HISTORY   OF  TUB 


bags,  festivals  and  lotteries.  The  others,  for  this  purpose, 
appeal  to  the  love  the  people  bear  to  Christ.  In  short, 
the  Old-School  Methodists  rely  for  the  spread  of  the  gos- 
pel upon  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the  purity  of 
the  Church.  The  New-School  Methodists  appear  to  de- 
pend upon  the  patronage  of  the  worldly,  the  favor  of  the 
proud  and  the  aspiring,  and  the  various  artifices  of  world- 
ly policy. 

If  this  diversity  of  opinion  and  of  practice  among  the 
ministers  of  our  denomination  was  confined  to  one  Confer- 
ence, it  would  be  comparatively  unimportant.  But  un- 
mistakable indications,  show  that  pi-osperity  is  producing 
upon  us,  as  a  denomination,  the  same  intoxicating  effect 
that  it  too  often  does  upon  individuals  and  societies.  The 
change,  by  the  General  Conference  of  1852,  in  the  rule  of 
Discipline  requiring  that  all  our  houses  of  worship  should 
be  built  plain,  and  with  free  seats  ;  and  that  of  the  last 
General  Conference,  in  the  section  respecting  dress,  show 
that  there  are  already  too  many  among  us,  who  would 
take  down  the  barriers  that  have  hitherto  separated  us 
from  the  world.  The  fact  that  the  removal  is  gradual,  so 
as  not  to  excite  too  much  attention  and  commotion,  renders 
it  none  the  less  alarming. 

Every  lover  of  the  Church  must  feel  a  deep  anxiety  to 
know  what  is  to  be  the  result  of  this  new  order  of  things. 
If  we  may  judge  by  its  effects  in  the  Genesee  Conference, 
since  it  has  held  sway  there,  it  will  prove  disastrous  to  us 
as  a  denomination.  It  so  happened,  either  by  accident  or 
by  management,  at  the  division  of  the  Genesee  Conference, 
eight  years  ago,  that  most  of  the  unmanageable  veterans, 
who  could  neither  be  induced  to  depart  from  the  heaven- 
honored  usages  of  Methodism,  by  the  specious  cry  of 
"  progress,"  nor  to  wink  at  such  departures  by  the  mild 
expostulations  of  Eli,  "  Why  do  you  thus,  my  son  ?"  had 
their  destination  upon  the  east  side  of  Genesee  river.  The 


FRBK  METHODIST  CHURCH. 


309 


first  year  after  the  division,  the  East  Genesee  Conference 
had  twenty  superanuated  preachers ;  the  Genesee  Confer- 
ence but  five.  "  Men  of  progress,"  in  the  prime  of  life, 
went  west  of  the  river  and  took  possession  of  the  Confer- 
ence. For  the  most  part,  they  have  borne  sway  there 
ever  since.  Of  late,  the  young  men  of  the  Conference, 
uniting  with  the  fathers — and  thus  united,  comprising  a 
Majority  of  the  Conference — have  endeavored  to  stop  this 
"  progress  "  away  from  the  old  paths  of  Methodism.  But 
the  "  progressives  "  make  up  in  management  what  they 
lack  in  numbers.  Having  free  access  at  all  times  to  the 
ears  of  the  Episcopacy,  they  have  succeeded,  for  the  most 
part,  in  controlling  the  appointments  to  the  districts  and 
most  important  stations.  If,  by  reason  of  his  obvious  fit- 
ness, any  impracticable  adherent  of  primitive  Methodism 
has  been  appointed  to  a  district  or  first-class  station,  he 
has  usually  been  pursued,  with  untiring  diligence,  and 
hunted  from  his  position  before  his  constitutional  term 
expired. 

In  the  bounds  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  the  people 
generally  are  prepossessed  in  favor  of  Methodism.  Du- 
ring the  past  eight  years,  there  have  been  no  externa! 
causes  operating  there  against  our  prosperity,  that  do  not 
operate  at  all  times  and  in  all  places.  Within  this  period, 
the  nominal  increase  of  the  Church  in  that  Conference  has 
been  but  seven  hundred  and  eighty.  The  East  Genesee 
Conference  has  had  an  increase,  within  the  same  time,  of 
about  two  thousand  five  hundred.  In  order  to  have  sim- 
ply kept  pace  with  the  population,  there  should  have  been, 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  one  thousand 
six  hundred  and  forty-three  more  members  than  there  are 
"  at  present.  That  is,  in  eight  years,  under  the  reign  of 
'  New  Divinity,  the  Church  has  suffered,  within  the  bounds 
'  of  this  one  Conference,  a  relative  loss  of  fifteen  per  cent, 
in  members. 


310 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 


The  Seminary  at  Lima,  at  the  time  of  the  division  sec- 
ond to  none  in  the  land,  has,  by  the  same  kind  of  manage- 
ment, been  brought  to  the  brink  of  financial  ruin. 

We  have  thus  endeavored  to  give  a  fair  and  impartial 
representation  of  New-School  Methodism.  Its  prevalence 
in  one  Conference  has  already,  as  we  have  seen,  involved 
it  in  division  and  disaster.  Let  it  generally  prevail,  and 
the  glory  will  depart  from  Methodism.  She  has  a  special 
mission  to  accomplish.  This  is,  not  to  gather  into  her 
fold  the  proud  and  fashionable,  the  devotees  of  pleasure 
and  ambition,  but,  "to  spread  scripture  holiness  over  these 
lands."  Her  doctrines  and  her  usages,  her  hymns,  her 
history  and  her  spirit,  her  noble  acliieveraents  in  the  past 
and  her  bright  prospects  for  the  future,  all  forbid  that  she 
should  adopt  an  accommodating,  compromising  policy, 
pandering  to  the  vices  of  the  times.  Let  her  go  on,  as  she 
has  done,  insisting  that  the  great  cardinal  truths  of  the 
gospel  shall  receive  a  living  embodiment  in  the  hearts  and 
lives  of  her  members,  and  Methodism  will  continue  to  be 
the  favored  of  Heaven,  and  the  joy  of  the  earth.  But 
let  her  come  down  from  her  position,  and  receive  to  her 
communion  all  those  lovers  of  pleasure,  and  lovers  of  the 
world,  who  are  willing  to  pay  for  the  privilege,  and  it 
needs  no  prophet's  vision  to  foresee  that  Methodism  will 
become  a  dead  and  corrupting  body — endeavoring  in  vain 
to  supply,  by  the  erection  of  splendid  churches,  and  the 
imposing  performance  of  powerless  ceremonies,  the  mani- 
fested glory  of  the  Divine  presence,  which  once  shone  so 
brightly  in  all  her  sanctuaries. 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Stand  ye  in  the  ways  and  see, 
and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is  the  good  way,  and  walk 
therein,  and  ye  shall find  rest  for  your  souls."  B. 


EEY.  J.  W.  REDFIELD,  M.  D. 


BY  REV.  B.   T.  ROBEKTS. 

Those  oT  our  readers  who  were  personally  acquainted 
with  Dr.  Redfield  cannot  fail  to  appreciate  the  admirable 
likeness  of  him  with  which  the  present  number  of  the 
Earnest  Christian  is  emhelUshed.  Our  artist  has  done  his 
work  well.  That  calm  face  will  bear  study.  It  bespeaks 
a  soul  at  peace  with  God  and  man.  Divine  grace  has  im- 
parted a  holy  serenity  to  a  countenance  naturally  beauti- 
ful and  expressive.  Yet,  those  who  knew  him  only  in  the 
pulpit,  will  be  disappointed.  The  fire  is  wanting.  We 
never  knew  a  man  who,  in  the  pulpit,  was  so  unlike  what 
he  was  in  social  life.  He  was  everywhere  the  man  of  God. 
Among  his  friends  he  was  as  gentle,  and  sensitive,  and 
shrinking  as  a  woman  ;  but  in  the  pulpit  he  was  bold  and 
fearless,  and  uncompromising  as  John  Knox  or  Martin 
Luther.  Never,  since  the  days  of  St.  Paul,  was  there 
one  who  could  more  truthfully  say,  "  I  have  not  shunned 
to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God."  The  inspiration 
apparent  in  his  countenance  was  such  as  could  not  be  ex- 
pressed by  any  artistic  skill.  But  the  likeness  we  furnish 
is  one  well  worthy  of  preservation.  It  will  give  to  those 
who  never  saw  him  a  better  idea  than  any  description 
could,  of  the  appearance  of  one  of  the  most  successful 
erangelists  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

John  Wesley  Redfield  was  born  on  the  23d  day  of  June, 
1810.  From  his  earliest  childhood,  a  strong  impression 
followed  him  that  God  designed  him  for  the  Gospel  minis- 
try. But  so  disagreeable  to  him  was  the  tliought,  that  he 
kept  the  matter  a  secret  from  his  dearest  friends.  His 
311 


312 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


fears  that  so  unwelcome  a  fate  awaited  him  were  greatly- 
strengthened  by  what  was  afterwards  told  him  of  the  im- 
pressions of  his  mother  concerning  him.  She  was  a  wo- 
man of  prayer,  who  feared  the  Lord,  and  his  secret  was 
with  her.  She  assured  her  confidential  friends,  from  his 
infancy,  that  God  would  call  him  to  the  Gospel  ministry. 
Her  faith  in  this  respect  never  wavered ;  but  when  the 
neighbors  came  in  and  found  him,  to  all  appearance,  dy- 
ing, and  told  her  so,  her  reply  was :  "  He  will  not  die,  but 
live  to  preach  the  Gospel." 

"When  about  eight  years  of  age,  and  just  able  to  write, 
he  tried  to  compose  a  sermon,  and  then  borrowed  a  copy 
of  Wesley's  sermons  to  compare  the  merits  of  his  own  by. 
In  great  despondency  he  said  to  himself,  with  a  sigh,  "  I 
never  can  compose  such  a  sermon ;  I  do  not  know  any- 
thing about  religion,  and  I  am  sure  I  can  never  preach." 
Still  he  could  not  throw  off  the  unpleasant  impression  that 
he  must  preach  the  Gospel ;  but  in  every  plan  of  life  he  was 
swayed  by  this   dreaded,  and  yet  absorbing  thought 

In  his  fourteenth  year  he  had  such  an  alarming  view  of 
his  sinful  state,  that  he  really  feared  he  was  past  all  hope 
of  m-ercy.  He  tried,  as  he  thought,  to  the  utmost,  to  ob- 
tain the  pardon  and  favor  of  God,  but  in  vain.  His  agony 
would  not  let  him  sleep,  and  he  was  aroused  by  every  un- 
usual sound.  Hope  fled  for  a  season.  He  was  tempted  to 
provoke  the  Almighty  to  destroy  him,  that  without  the 
guilt  of  self-murder  he  might  know  the  worst  of  his  case, 
and  also  avoid  making  his  condition  in  eternity  worse  by 
a  farther  life  of  sin.  While  in  this  state  of  despair,  he 
heard  of  a  Camp-Meeting.  As  the  friends  spoke  of  the 
probable  conversion  of  sinners,  hope  revived,  and  he 
thought,  "  If  I  go,  then  I  may  get  religion."  He  obtained 
permission,  and  went  with  a  neighbor.  At  the  close  of 
the  first  sermon,  he,  with  a  goodly  nnmber  of  penitents, 
bowed  to  the  altar  and  implored  the  mercy  of  God.  They 


REV.  J.   AV.   KEDFIELD,  M.  D. 


313 


cried  aloud  with  great  earnestness.  This,  at  first,  greatly 
disturbed  him.  But  seeing  those  who  tried  it,  soon  be- 
coming happy  in  God,  and  all  bis  own  efforts  proving  un- 
Buccessful,  he  concluded  to  pray  aloud,  and  cried  out, — 
"  Lord  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner."  He  was  shocked  at 
the  sound  of  his  own  voice,  but  pride  was  mortified,  and 
he  felt  fully  committed  and  disgraced  for  life.  He  went 
out  alone  into  the  woods,  and  there,  under  a  large  tree, 
upon  his  knees,  he  made  the  solemn  vow  to  take  Jesus  for 
his  only  Saviour.  "  Instantly,"  he  said,  "  as  my  faith  ven- 
tured on  Jesus,  my  burden  was  gone.  I  was  filled  with 
inexpressible  delight,  and  before  I  was  aware  of  what  I 
was  doing,  I  found  myself  on  my  feet  shouting.  Glory  to 
God  !  All  nature  seemed  in  harmony,  like  a  beautiful  and 
well  tuned  harp,  singing  praises  to  the  Most  High,  and 
ray  heart  could  beat  time  to  such  unearthly  music  as  I 
now  heard  all  around,  above,  beneath,  within.  If  this  is 
religion,  I  said  to  myself,  the  world  will  now  very  soon 
be  converted,  for  I  shall  tell  every  one  with  whom  I  meet, 
and  I  can  tell  it  so  convincingly  that  they  will  certainly 
believe,  and  seek,  and  find.  So  exalted,  and  so  valuable 
did  salvation  seem,  that  I  felt  I  could  have  given  my  life 
to  impart  it  to  the  world." 

He  first  met  a  young  man,  and  immediately  spoke  to 
him  about  the  love  of  Jesus,  expecting  to  see  him  start  in 
haste  to  seek  the  pearl  of  great  price.  But  he  was  doomed 
to  disappointment.  The  young  man  treated  his  message 
with  contempt.  But  the  zeal  of  the  young  convert  was 
not  abated  by  this  rebuff.  On  his  way  home  he  visited 
the  house  of  a  relative,  who  had  a  large  family,  none  of 
whom  professed  religion.  He  told  them  what  great  things 
Jesus  had  done  for  his  soul.  But  he  seemed  to  them  like 
one  who  mocked.  He,  however,  pressed  the  subject,  and 
finally  obtained  permission  to  pray  with  them.  He  left 
them  under  conviction,  and  in  a  short  time  had  the  hap- 
14 


314 


A  SKETCH  OK  THE  LH'E  OF 


piness  of  hearing  that  the  whole  femily  professed  relig- 
ion. 

On  reaching  home,  he  set  up  a  family  altar  in  his  fath- 
er's house.  He  went  from  house  to  house,  and  from  town 
to  town,  to  carry  the  glad  news  that  Jesus  had 
come  to  save.  He  soon  had  the  unspeakable  pleasure  of 
having  a  very  large  number  of  old  acquaintances  to  go 
with  him  in  the  narrow  way. 

Dr.  Fisk,  who  used  to  visit  his  father's  house,  took  a 
deep  interest  in  his  welfare.  He  suggested  that  he  had 
better  go  to  Wilbraham  Academy  to  study.  Young  Red- 
field  saw  that  the  old  subject  of  preaching  was  at  the  bot- 
tom of  this  plan,  and  that  the  course  he  was  pursuing 
would  sooner  or  later  lead  him  into  this  field  of  labor. — 
All  his  abhorrence  of  preaching  returned,  and  he  resolved 
to  quit  the  field  at  once.  He  conceived  that  the  most  aw- 
ful responsibility  rested  upon  the  minister  of  the  gospel, 
and  he  felt  that  he  could  not  assume  it  unless  he  knew  to 
a  certainty  that  God  had  called  him  to  it.  His  impress- 
ions he  attributed  to  the  influence  of  friends,  who  were 
urging  him  to  enter  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duty. 

Obtaining  permission  of  his  father,  he  left  home  to  go 
to  a  distant  place  to  enter  into  the  employment  of  an  ar- 
tist. The  Lord  met  him  in  a  wonderful  manner  on  his 
way,  and  endeavored  to  divert  him  from  his  purpose,  and 
lead  him  to  enter  upon  his  mission.  But,  with  astonish- 
ing obstinacy,  he  went  on,  and  at  last  reached  the  des- 
tined place.  But  here  such  horror  fell  upon  him  that  he 
dared  not  remain.  He  left  the  place  and  did  not  venture 
to  look  back  until  he  had  passed  completely  out  of  sight. 

He  returned  home  resolved  to  live  religious,  but  determ- 
ined to  abandon  all  thoughts  about  ever  preaching,  unless 
God  should,  by  unmistakable  signs,  reveal  it  as  his  will 
that  he  should  undertake  this  work.  There  he  continued, 
restless  and  comfortless,  until  the  next  fall,  mourniner  over 


KEV.  J.  REDFIELD,  M.  D. 


315 


his  sad  fate,  and  wondering  why  he  should  be  the  victim 
of  impressions  that  he  could  not  throw  off,  and  yet  have 
no  certain  means  to  settle  the  matter. 

Re  would  inform  no  one  of  the  corroding  anxiety  which 
was  eating  away  at  his  very  vitals.  He  fasted  and  prayed  ; 
he  kept  watch-nights  all  alone,  he  wandered  about  in  the 
fields  till  the  sun  made  his  appearance  in  the  morning  ;  he 
prayed  kneeling  in  the  snow,  until  his  clothes  were  frozen 
to  the  earth,  seeking  to  have  the  question  as  to  whether 
he  was  to  preach  the  gospel  or  not  settled  in  such  a  way 
as  to  render  doubts  impossible.  "When  evidences  that 
should  have  been  satisfactory  to  the  most  skeptical  were 
given,  he  would  listen  to  the  suggestion  that,  perhaps,  it 
was  all  a  delusion.  This  inward  conflict  continued  until 
all  appetite  for  food  was  gone,  sleep  departed  from  his 
eyes,  and  he  stood  trembling  upon  the  very  verge  of  in- 
sanity. At  last  he  yielded.  He  had  studiously  sought  to 
conceal  his  impressions  of  duty  from  every  one ;  but  as 
soon  as  his  decision  was  made,  a  pious  sister  entered  his 
room,  her  face  red  with  weeping,  and  handing  him  a  Bible 
and  hymn-book,  said :  "  Brother  John,  the  victory  is 
gained."  He  could  contain  himself  no  longer,  but  an- 
swered her  only  with  sobs  and  tears.  She  had  been  se- 
cretly praying  for  him  during  his  struggle. 

Going  among  strangers",  to  a  field  of  labor  to  which,  for 
a  long  time,  he  had  been  strangely  and  supernaturally  di- 
rected, he  entered  at  once  upon  his  work,  visiting  from 
house  to  house,  and  talking  in  the  most  searching  manner 
with  the  inmates,  upon  the  subject  of  their  personal  sal- 
vation, and  praying  with  them  whenever  permission  to  do 
80  could  be  obtained.  By  some  he  was  kindly  received. 
Others  threatened  him  with  personal  violence.  Yet  there 
was  scarcely  a  house  which  he  visited,  but  that  he  was 
sent  for  soon  after  to  pray  with  some  of  the  inmates.  The 
hand  of  the  Lord  was  with  him,  and  He  set  His  seal  in 


316 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


the  most  signal  manner  upon  his  efforts.  Many  will  lliank 
God  in  eternity  that  he  sent  the  boy-preacher  to  bring  to 
their  reluctant  ears  the  tidings  of  salvation.  At  the  re- 
quest of  the  circuit  preachers  he  visited  a  prominent  Uni- 
versalist,  whose  controlling  influence  was  exerted  against 
the  cause  of  God.  They  had  plied  him,  in  vain,  with  all 
the  arguments  they  could  command.  Young  Redfield  laid 
the  matter  before  the  Lord,  and  obtaining  directions  from 
him  how  to  proceed,  he  went  in  his  name.  As  he  ap- 
proached the  Universalist  his  own  heart  was  melted,  and 
weeping  over  him,  he  said  : 

"  Sir,  I  have  a  message  from  the  great  God  to  you ;  it 
IS  to  repent  and  seek  salvation,  or  you  will  be  damned." 

"  I  don't  believe  in  your  damnation  doctrine,"  said  the 
man. 

To  this  the  young  evangelist  made  no  reply,  but  pressed 
him  for  an  answer.  "  Tell  me,  will  you  obey  God  and 
shun  damnation  ?" 

Again  he  tried  to  divert  the  attack  from  the  heart  to 
the  head. 

"  My  message,"  said  the  youth,  "  is  from  God,  will  you 
obey  it  ?  " 

When  the  Universalist  found  that  he  could  not  get  up 
a  discussion,  he  became  very  angry,  and  ordered  him  to 
leave  the  house,  or  he  would  give  him  a  beating,  for  he 
would  not  be  talked  to  in  such  a  manner  by  a  boy. 

"  You  will  strike  me,"  said  the  young  disciple,  "  at  the 
peril  of  God's  displeasure,  for  that  God  who  has  sent  me 
on  this  errand  of  mercy  will  certainly  stand  by  me  and 
defend  me  ;  so  touch  me  if  you  dare,  while  I  am  in  God's 
business." 

Before  the  interview  closed,  his  wife,  with  tears,  asked, 
"  O  will  you  pray  for  us  ?  "  Man  and  wife  kneeled,  and 
God  answered  prayer  and  broke  his  opposition  to  the 
work.    Another  Universalist  opened  his  doors  for  prayer 


KEV.  J.   W.   REDFIEI.D,  M.  D. 


317 


meeting,  and  the  work  of  God  swept  all  over  that  region 
of  country. 

The  sufferings  which  young  Redfield  endured  while  bur- 
dened for  souls  were  such  that  he  would  have  left  the 
work,  had  not  the  Lord,  by  signal  manifestations  of  his 
displeasure  at  such  a  course,  deterred  him  from  so  doing. 
At  the  request  of  the  Presiding  Elder  he  went  to  a  Quar- 
terly Conference  to  receive  a  license  to  preach,  with  a  view 
of  traveling  a  circuit  under  the  Presiding  Elder.  Before 
opening  the  Conference,  the  Elder  told  a  ludicrous  anec- 
dote, at  which  most  present  burst  into  a  glee  of  laugh- 
ter, in  which  the  Elder  heartily  joined  ;  and  then,  in  the 
midst  of  their  merriment  said,  "  Let  us  pray."  This  was 
too  much  for  the  sensitive  conscience  of  the  young  evan- 
gelist. He  fell  to  reasoning  thus  •  "  Does  this  Elder  be- 
lieve the  Bible  ?  Did  Jesus  set  such  an  example  of  tri- 
fling over  a  perishing  world  ?  Are  sinners  passing  away 
erery  hour  to  the  judgment,  unprepared  ?  "Was  this  like 
Paul,  who  labored  night  and  day,  with  tears,  for  the  sal- 
vation of  sinners  ?  Am  I  wild  or  blind  ?  All  I  can  see 
is  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  staggering  under  the  weight 
of  its  redemption,  and  a  world  in  proud  procession  on  their 
way  to  eternal  night.  If  the  Bible  is  true,  the  world  is 
on  the  eve  of  a  terrible  tragedy,  passing  to  eternity,  un- 
prepared.  I  hardly  dare  stop  to  sleep,  lest  men  should 
be  lost  while  I  am  at  rest.  There  must  be  a  mistake  some- 
where, and  I  am,  most  likely,  the  mistaken  one.  That  El- 
der is  a  man  of  mature  years,  and  in  all  probability  was, 
when  young,  as  zealous  as  I  am.  He  has  probably  found 
out  that  religion  is  a  delusion,  and  now  continues  lo  preach 
for  the  profit.  I  will  never  take  a  license  until  I  can  go 
and  settle  the  question  as  to  the  truth  or  falsity  of  the 
Christian  system  of  religion." 

He  went  home,  resolved  to  lead  a  pious  life,  and,  in  the 
meanwhile,  settle  the  claims  of  the  Bible,  by  the  light  of 


318 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


reason.  He  did  not  realize  that  he  had  undertaken  a  task 
too  great  for  him.  To  avoid  the  importunity  of  friends 
who  urged  him  to  do  his  duty,  by  preaching  the  gospel, 
he  went  some  hundred  miles  from  home;  but  iu  less  than 
a  fortnight  was  beset  by  the  same  exhortations.  He  went 
on  still  farther,  but  was  soon  annoyed  in  the  same  way. — 
He  left,  and  resolved  at  the  next  plape  to  make  no  pro- 
fession of  religion.  He  soon  found  himself  an  infidel.  He 
was  now  but  little  disturbed  by  day,  but  at  night  was  con- 
tinually annoyed  by  dreams  of  preaching.  The  dark 
gloom  of  infidelity  settled  upon  him,  but  he  found  no  rest. 
The  study  of  Anatomy,  and  of  Paley's  Natural  Theology 
saved  him  from  atheism. 

We  pass  over,  for  the  present,  the  long  and  sad,  but  in- 
teresting chapter  of  his  endeavors  to  get  away  from  the 
duty  to  which  God  had,  in  so  striking  a  manner,  called 
him.  The  voyage  to  Tarshish  has  always  proved  disas- 
trous to  those  who  have  undertaken  it.  God  has  a  thous- 
and rods  for  the  backs  of  those  who  know  his  will,  but 
who  do  it  not.  Young  Red6cld  s-iiliered  his  severest  chas- 
tisement, inflicted  in  love  for  his  salvation.  He  married — 
but  domestic  calamities  of  the  most  crushing  character 
overwhelmed  him.  His  nearest  and  dearest  friends — his 
father  and  mother — were  suddenly  called  away.  He  was 
left  alone  in  the  world.  The  hand  of  disease  was  laid  up- 
on him,  and  three  several  times  he  was  brought  to  the 
very  verge  of  the  grave.  Once  the  cholera  nearly  carried 
him  otF.  At  another  time  he  left  a  seat  that  was  shivered 
by  lightning,  just  in  time  to  avoid  the  withering  stroke. 
Then  consumption  well  nigh  did  its  fearful  work.  Each 
time  he  was  spared,  as  he  believed,  in  answer  to  prayer, 
and  upon  his  promising  God  that  he  would  do  his  duty. — 
At  last  he  made  a  final  and  complete  surrender.  His  flesh 
was  wasted  away,  his  strength  gone,  the  hectic  flush  was 
upon  his  cheek,  and  cold  night  sweats  contributed  to  hur- 


REV.  J.  W.   EKDFIEI.D,  M.  D. 


319 


ry  him  to  his  account.  He  prayed  ;  and  vowed  to  do  bis 
duty.  After  a  night  of  prayer,  about  two  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  the  answer  came,  "  You  may  live  while  you 
preach,  but  no  longer." 

The  next  Friday  evening  he  was  able  to  cross  the  street 
to  attend  a  Love  Feast  in  the  ]\L  K  Church.  He  had  been 
seated  but  a  short  time,  before  the  minister,  a  stranger, 
came  to  him,  and  after  a  little  conversation,  said  to  him, 
"  You  must  preach  for  me  next  Sabbath  morning."  He 
endeavored  to  excuse  himself,  but  in  vain.  The  preacher 
had  spiritual  discernment,  and  saw  that  he  had  a  work  to 
do  for  God.  The  intervening  time  was  passed  in  dreadful 
agony.  Sabbath  came,  and  he  went  to  the  pulpit,  as  one 
would  go  to  meet  a  fearful  fate.  He  arose,  but  was  too 
weak  to  stand,  only  as  he  supported  himself  by  the  pul- 
pit. He  had  not  strength  to  hold  the  Hyum  Book.  He 
gave  out  his  text,  when  he  says :  "  It  seemed  that  an  un- 
earthly power  seized  me  and  held  me  up,  and  gave  me 
volume  of  voice  and  sustained  me  to  the  end." 

He  sat  down,  hoping  that  this  specimen  of  his  preach- 
ing would  prevent  any  further  invitations.  But  to  his 
surprise  and  sorrow,  the  minister  in  charge  said,  "  You 
must  preach  for  me  again,"  on  such  a  night.  He  plead  to 
be  excused,  but  the  minister  was  inflexible,  and  laid  his 
commands  upon  him.  This  service  over,  he  told  him  he 
must  preach  the  next  Sunday  night,  and  gave  notice  ac- 
cordingly. When  the  time  came,  the -church,  a  large  one 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  was  crowded,  gallery,  aisles  and 
vestibule.  As  he  took  his  text,  he  says,  "  An  unearthly 
power  so  lifted  me  up  that  it  seemed  to  me  that  my  feet 
only  touched  the  earth,  but  my  whole  head,  heart  and  body 
were  in  heaven,  and  the  unearthly  thrills  of  power  which 
I  then  felt  I  never  can  describe.  I  can  only  compare  it  to 
a  sense  of  power  put  into  my  hand  for  that  hour,  which 
could  shake  a  world,  or  sway  an  influence  that  would  move 


320 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


a  nation,  I  had  not  finished  my  preaching  when,  without 
an  invitation,  the  people  arose  and  rushed  up  to  the  altar, 
crying  for  mercy.  The  space  around  and  within  the  altar 
was  crowded,  and  when  there  was  no  more  room,  the 
preacher  asked  all  in  the  house  who  desired  religion  to 
arise,  M'hen  it  was  judged  that  five  hundred  arose  for 
])rayers,  and  the  number  converted  justified  the  estimate." 

Thus  commenced  the  final  efforts  of  one  whose  fidelity 
and  power  in  the  pulpit  surpassed,  beyond  all  comparison, 
those  of  any  man  to  whom  we  ever  listened. 

From  this  time,  till  the  hand  of  disease  was  laid  upon 
him,  he  went  steadily  forward,  laboring  as  an  evangelist. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  successful  revivalists  in  the  coun 
try. 

Dr.  Redfield  has  left  a  full  account  of  the  efforts  which 
he  put  forth  for  the  revival  of  primitive  Christianity.  In 
the  brief  sketch  which  we  now  give,  we  shall  confine  our- 
selves mainly  to  such  facts  as  fell  under  our  own  observa- 
tion. 

We  first  heard  Dr.  Redfield  preach  in  the  city  of  Mid- 
dletown,  Connecticut.  Tlie  state  of  religion  in  the  church 
was  extremely  low.  Professing  Christians  were  chiefly 
distinguished  for  their  conformity  to  the  world.  The 
Methodists  had  ceased  to  be  persecuted,  and  were  fast  be- 
coming a  proud  and  fashionable  people.  In  the  Universi- 
ty, intellectual  rivalry  had  well  nigh  supplanted  zeal  for 
the  cause  of  God.  But  a  small  proportion  of  the  students 
professed  religion,  and  these  exhibited  but  too  little  of  the 
power  of  godliness.  Dr.  Redfield's  preaching  created  a 
j)rofound  sensation.  His  deep-toned  piety,  the  Divine  unc- 
tion that  rested  upon  him,  his  fervent,  moving,  appeals  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace,  and  his  unearthly,  overpowering  el- 
o(pience,  disarmed  criticism,  even  in  that  congregation  of 
critics,  and  prepared  the  way  for  the  reception  of  the 
searching  uaths  he  uttered.    Had  he  lowered  the  stand- 


RKV.    .1.   W.    RliUFlKI.D,   M.  !>. 


321 


ard  to  suit  the  pride  and  prejudices  of  his  bearers,  his  pop- 
ularity would  have  beeu  unbounded.  But,  like  General 
Jackson,  he  never  compromised,  but  always  went  in  for  a 
clean  victory  or  a  clean  defeat.  He  insisted  upon  the  Bi 
ble  standai-d  of  entire  conformity  to  the  will  of  God  in 
all  things.  The  church  was  crowded,  and  the  people 
seemed  amazed.  Such  exhibitions  of  trutli  they  liad  nev- 
er listened  to  before.  It  was  for  some  time  doubtful  how 
the  scale  would  turn.  Dr.  Olin  heard  of  the  commotion. 
He  was  unwilling  to  take  the  representations  of  any  one, 
but  arose  from  a  sick  bed,  and  went  and  heard  for  himself. 
His  majestic  intellect,  and  deep  experience  in  the  things 
of  God,  could  not  easily  be  imposed  upon ;  and  a  candid 
hearing  satisfied  him  both  of  the  sincerity  and  the  sound- 
ness of  the  preacher.  "  This,  brethren,"  said  he,  "  is 
Methodism,  and  you  must  stand  by  it."  His  word  was 
law.  The  faculty,  the  official  members,  and  the  church 
received  and  endorsed  the  truth.  Such  a  work  of  God  as 
followed  we  never  witnessed.  Professors  in  the  college — 
men  of  outwardly  blameless  lives,  saw  they  were  not 
right  with  God,  frankly  confessed  it,  and,  laying  aside  their 
official  dignity,  went  forward  for  prayers.  The  city  and 
adjoining  country  were  moved  as  by  the  breath  of  the 
Lord.  For  some  eight  or  ten  weeks,  the  altar  was  crowded 
with  penitents — from  fifty  to  a  hundred  coming  forward 
at  a  time.  The  conversions  were  generally  very  clear  and 
powerful.  Dr.  Olin  seconded  the  effort  in  the  University, 
and  went  beyond  his  strength  in  exhorting  the  students 
and  praying  with  them.  This  great  man  never  seemed  so 
great  as  in  prayer.    Then  he  seemed  clothed  with  the 

Awful  majesty  of  man. 

Who  talketh  often  with  his  God. 

Nearly  all  the  young  men  in  the  college  were  converted, 
and  of  the  converts,  a  large  number  became  ministers  of 
the  Gospel.    The  fruits  of  the  revival  remain,  and  have 


322 


A  SKETCH  OP  THB  LIFE  OF 


been  multiplying  ever  since.  Five  years  after,  we  -were 
stationed  at  the  Niagara-street  Church,  Buffalo.  This  was 
the  oldest  Methodist  Church  in  the  city.  They  had  for- 
'merly  enjoyed  powerful  revivals  of  religion,  and  a  few 
years  before,  under  the  faithful  labors  of  Rev.  E.  Thomas, 
the  standard  of  holiness  had  been  raised,  and  many  of 
the  members  entered  into  the  enjoyment  of  this  blessing. 
But  for  a  few  years  immediately  preceding  our  labors 
there,  a  different  tone  of  piety  had  been  inculcated.  But 
few  made  a  definite  profession  of  holiness,  and  a  system 
of  worldly  policy  had  been  partially  inaugurated.  We 
found  the  congregation  run  down,  and  the  membership 
discouraged.  We  made  an  effort  for  a  i-evival  of  religion. 
Dr.  Redfield,  at  our  invitation,  seconded  by  the  official 
board,  came  to  our  assistance.  A  deep  interest  was  ex- 
cited ;  the  members  began  the  work  of  thorough  self-ex- 
amination; and  many  were  brought  out  into  the  clear  light 
of  full  salvation.  Some  then  saved  have  since  proved 
most  efficient  laborers  in  the  Master's  vineyard.  The 
churcli  was  crowded,  and  a  deep  solemnity  prevaded  the 
congregation.  Just  as  everything  betokened  a  sweeping 
victory,  and  a  great  ingathering  of  souls,  the  general  an- 
niversary of  tlie  Missionary  Society  was  held  in  that 
church.  For  several  days,  including  the  Sabbatli,  the  aid 
of  eloquence  and  wit,  and  personal  and  church  rivalry,  was 
invoked  to  raise  money.  A  spirit  of  levity  prevailed,  and 
conviction  was  dissipated.  Ministers  occupying  a  prom- 
inent official  position,  who  had  come  to  attend  the  anni- 
versary, exerted  among  the  members  an  influence  very 
damaging  to  the  work  of  God,  which  had  been  commenced. 
When  we  resumed  our  meetings,  we  found  that  the  wheels 
of  the  car  of  salvation  were  effectually  blocked.  The 
work  was  openly  opposed  by  official  members.  Some,  who 
had  confessed  they  were  not  right,  went  no  farther,  but 
settled  down  as  they  were.    A  few  were  converted;  but 


KEV.  J.  W.  BEDPIELD,  M,  V. 


323 


it  was  impossible  to  restore  the  battle.  Dr.  lledfaeld  left, 
saying  in  substance  to  the  oflBcial  members  as  he  turned 
sorrowfully  away,  that  "  Ichabod  "  was  written  upon  theii 
walls  ;  that  they  had  opposed  God,  and  he  would  foi'sako 
them  unless  they  repented  before  him.  The  truth  of  his 
prediction  has  been  astonishingly  verified.  After  we  left, 
the  church  began  i-apidly  to  run  down.  Various  expedi- 
ents of  a  worldly  character  were  resorted  to  for  the  pro- 
motion of  its  prosperity.  The  house  was  rebuilt  with 
architectural  splendor;  gothic  chairs  were  introduced  into 
the  pulpit,  and  a  gothic  organ  into  the  orchestra  ;  minis- 
tei"s  of  acknowledged  talent  were  brouglit  from  other  Con- 
ferences, and  appointed  to  preach  there.  Sociables  and 
festivals  were  of  common  occurrence;  and,  to  crown  all,  a 
great  "  clam-bake  and  chowder  "  party  was  held,  in  the 
interest  of  the  church, — but  all  to  no  purpose.  The  beau- 
tiful edifice  has  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Jews,  and 
the  society — the  oldest  bearing  the  Methodist  name  in  the 
city — has  been  scattered.  To-day  there  are  not,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  population,  one-half  as  many  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  that  city,  as  there 
were  twenty  years  ago. 

In  1858,  Dr.  Redfield  went  to  St.  Louis — as  he  believed, 
by  Divine  direction — to  labor  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 
Crowds  of  eager  listeners  thronged  the  church  to  hear 
the  thrilling  truths  he  uttered.  He  was  then  a  preacher 
in  good  standing  in  the  M.  E.  Church.  The  preacher  in 
charge  of  the  principal  M.  E.  Church  became  jealous. — 
The  official  board  voted,  and  the  preacher  concurred  in  the 
vote,  that  the  meetings  should  be  placed  in  Dr.  Redtield's 
hands  for  the  period,  I  think,  of  three  weeks.  He  held  a 
few  meetings,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  continued  to  work 
in  power.  Many  became  convicted  for  full  salvation,  and 
some  received  the  blessing  for  which  they  sought.  While 
the  work  was  going  on  in  power,  the  preacher  in  charge  took 


324  A  SKETCH  OF  RET.  J,  W.  REDFIELD,  M.  D. 


the  meetings  out  of  Dr.  Redfield's  hands,  and  even  refused 
him  permission  to  preach.  The  congregation,  seeing  this, 
left  the  house,  and  a  large  number  of  tlie  members,  with- 
out consulting  Dr.  Redfield,  left  the  church.  They  hired 
a  church  edifice  on  Sixth  street,  and  Dr.  Redfield  preached 
the  gospel  to  them  there.    Many  souls  were  saved. 

Application  was  made  to  the  presiding  elder  to  organize 
them  into  a  New  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  gave 
them  encouragement  that  he  would  do  so,  but  afterwards 
refused  to  fulfil  his  promise. 

Failing  of  recognition  by  the  constituted  ecclesiastical 
authorities,  and  feeling  that  they  could  not  return  to  the 
church  which  they  had  left,  they  sent  for  us  to  aid  them 
in  efiecting  an  organization. 

After  some  weeks  we  went,  and  organized  the  First 
Free  Methodist  Church  that  was  ever  organized  in  the 
United  States.  Such  parts  of  the  Discipline  of  the  M.  E, 
Church  were  adopted  as  were  applicable  to  their  cirtsum- 
stances.  Non-slaveholding  was  made  a  test  of  member- 
ship. On  this  account,  several  of  the  more  wealthy  mem- 
bers left. 

This  society  has  met  with  a  succession  of  misfortunes, 
but  the  Lord  has  given  it  vitality  to  live  through  all,  and 
we  trust  that  a  period  of  prosperity  is  before  it. 

This  brief  sketch  of  the  labors  of  Dr.  Redfield,  may 
give  those  unacquainted  with  him  some  idea  of  his  untir- 
ing zeal  in  his  Master's  service.  It  will  require  a  volume 
to  do  anything  like  justice  to  his  evangelical  labors. 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


EEY.  WM.  O.  KEISTDALL,  A.  M. 

BY  KEY.  B.   T.  ROBERTS. 

The  likeness  we  have  had  engraved  for  this  naonth's 
number  is  one  of  no  ordinary  man.  It  is  of  one  whose 
whole  energies  were  enlisted  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  to  a 
degree  that  we  do  not  commonly  witness  in  these  days. 

William  C.  Kendall  was  a  man  of  God.  From  the  com- 
mencement to  the  close  of  his  public  career,  he  devoted 
himself,  with  singleness  of  aim  and  tenacity  of  purpose, 
to  the  one  work  of  spreading  scriptural  holiness  over  the 
land. 

He  was  above  the  medium  height,  strongly  made,  and 
capable  of  a  great  amount  of  labor.  lie  would  preach, 
and  sing,  and  pray,  more  hours  a  day,  than  any  man  we 
ever  knew.  This  may  be  owing,  in  part  at  least,  to  the 
fact  that  he  kept  the  machinery  well  oiled.  He  did  not 
get  ahead  of  the  Spirit.  There  was  something  noble  and 
attractive  in  his  appearance.  His  voice  was  clear,  full  and 
musical.  His  mind  was  solid  rather  tlian  brilliant, — char- 
acterized more  by  the  harmonious  blending  of  all  its  pow- 
ers than  by  the  predominance"  of  any  single  faculty.  He 
was  well  educated — a  graduate  of  the  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity at  Middletown,  Conn., — a  member  of  our  class.  In 
the  sciences,  in  mathematics,  in  the  languages,  he  stood 
well.  In  no  one  branch  did  he  particularly  excel ;  but,  in 
his  standing  in  all  branches,  was  above  the  average. 

It  was  as  a  Christian  that  he  shone  with  bright  particu- 
lar lustre.  The  fear  of  God  was  always  before  his  eyes, 
and  he  acted  as  if  he  felt  that  he  was  in  His  immediate 
presence.  His  faith  was  steady,  strong,  and  unwavering. 
325 


326 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OV 


A  heavenly  smile  shone  upon  his  countenance,  and  the 
joy  of  the  Lord  filled  his  soul. 

We  have  seen  him  in  trying  circumstances — when  al- 
most every  one  else  was  discouraged ;  but  his  faith  never 
wavered.  When  everything  looked  dark,  and  others  were 
discouraged,  he  was  wont  to  say,  "  This  is  Immanuel's 
land." 

The  session  of  the  Genesee  Conference  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  held  in  1856  at  Medina,  was  a  time  of  great  trial 
to  those  in  Western  New  York  who  sympathized  with  the 
doctrine  of  holiness.  The  Rev.  L.  Stiles,  presiding  elder 
of  Genesee  district,  who  had  taken  strong  ground  in  favor 
of  the  work  of  God  then  going  on  in  the  district,  was  tried 
on  trumped-up  charges.  About  thirty  of  the  preachers, 
who  were  most  violently  opposed  to  the  work  of  holiness, 
combined  together  and  threatened  the  bishop  that  they 
would  tear  the  Conference  to  pieces  if  Rev.  L.  Stiles,  and 
I,  C.  Kingsley,  presiding  elder  of  the  Niagara  district — 
who  also  favored  the  work  of  holiness — wei-e  not  removed, 
and  men  favorable  to  their  views  appointed  in  their  places. 
The  bishop  for  the  sake  of  peace,  yielded  to  their  demands. 

Bro.  Stiles  was  acquitted  of  the  charges;  but  he  and 
Kingsley  were  both  removed,  and  transferred  to  the  Cin- 
cinnati Conference,  and  tlie  enemies  of  holiness  triumphed. 
When  the  appointments  were  read  out,  the  friends  of  ho- 
liness— who  were  in  ignorance  up  to  this  time  of  what 
was  going  on — were  generally  despondent.  The  bishop, 
about  to  close  the  session,  called  on  "  some  one"  to  lead 
in  singing,  without  designating  the  hymn.  Bro.  Kendall 
arose,  his  countenance  beaming  with  courage,  and  with  a 
clear,  full  voice,  struck  up — 

"  Come  on  my  partners  in  distress." 

The  victors  appeared  vanquished.  None  of  them  joined 
in  the  singing,  and  some  looked  as  if  filled  with  rage.  The 


EEV.  WM.  C.  KENDALL,  A,  U.  327 

bishop  made  as  if  he  would  pray ;  but  Bro.  Kendall  did 
not  perceive  it,  and  went  on  with  the  next  verse  : 

"  Who  suffer  with  our  Master  here. 
We  shall  before  his  face  appear." 

The  power  of  the  Lord  came  down,  and  by  the  time  the 
hymn  was  finished,  those  who  had  been  ready  a  few  mo- 
ments before  to  give  up  everything  for  lost,  felt  inspired 
to  go  forth,  and  do  battle  valiantly  for  the  truth. 
.  Wm.  C.  Kendall  was  a  man  of  prayer.  He  constantly 
breathed  its  atmosphere,  and  spent  much  time  in  its  active 
exercise.  We  have  no  doubt  but  that,  could  the  fact  be 
known,  it  would  be  found  that  he  spent  more  hours  in 
prayer  than  he  did  in  preaching  or  exhortation,  though 
he  preached  on  an  average,  we  presume,  live  or  six  times 
a  week. 

Wherever  he  went  he  had  uncommon  success  in  getting 
souls  saved.  Everywhere  he  labored  revivals  attended  his 
efforts ;  and  the  work  that  he  promoted  was  of  the  most 
evangelical  kind.  People  convicted  under  his  labors  con- 
fessed their  sins,  made  restitution  of  the  wrongs  they  had 
done,  and  struggled  and  prayed  for  deliverance,  until  the 
burden  of  guilt  was  removed,  the  power  of  sin  broken, 
and  the  soul  enabled  to  sing — 

"  My  God  is  reconciled — 
His  pard'ning  voice  I  hear." 

His  special  theme  was  holiness.  He  professed  it,  and 
he  lived  it.  He  used  to  say  that  he  felt  divinely  inspired 
to  preach  holiness  in  every  sermon.  He  preached  it  as  a 
definite,  distinct  work  of  grace,  and  pressed  it  home,  in 
public  and  in  private,  as  the  duty  of  every  believer.  Many 
were  led,  through  his  labors,  into  its  enjoyment.  And 
the  holiness  that  he  preached  was  not  baptized  gentility, 
but  such  a  work  of  God  in  the  soul  as  made  one  love  right- 


328 


A   SKKTCH   OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


eousness  and  hate  iniquity.  He  made  no  compromises. — 
As  a  consequence,  though  his  spirit  was  always  gentle, 
and  his  maimers  kind,  yet  he  met  witli  the  fiercest  oppo- 
sition, and  endured  the  bitterest  persecution.  But  his 
temper  was  never  excited,  and  he  would  never  turn  aside 
from  his  work  to  answer  his  assailants.  It  is  utterly  aston- 
ishing what  revivals  he  had,  even  when  opposed  by  those 
occupying  high  official  positions  in  the  Church.  At  Albi- 
on, the  presiding  elder  was  against  him,  and,  through  his 
influence,  many  of  the  official  board  ;  but  he  went  steadily 
on  witli  his  woi'k,  and  probably  over  two  hundred  were 
converted  to  God  ;  and  the  fruit  of  this  gracious  revival 
remains  to  this  day. 

When  it  was  determined  to  put  down  the  work  of  God 
in  the  Genesee  Conference  at  all  hazards,  Wm.  C.  Kendall 
was  selected  as  the  first  victim.  A  bill  of  charges  was 
preferred  against  him,  which  he  was  informed  would  be 
prosecuted  at  the  next  session  of  the  Conference.  But 
God  shielded  him  from  the  malicious  shafts  of  his  persecu- 
tors, and  after  giving  him  one  of  the  most  powerful  and 
extensive  revivals,  in  one  of  the  most  barren  and  unprom- 
ising of  fields,  He  sent  down  his  chariot  of  fire  and  took 
him  home.  His  death  was  one  of  the  most  triumphant  of 
which  we  have  any  record.  A  short  time  before  his  de- 
parture, he  said,  "  I  have  been  swimming  for  two  days  in 
the  waters  of  death,  and  they  are  like  sweet  incense  all 
over  me."  Waving  bis  hands  in  holy  triumph,  he  re- 
peated— 

"  Bright  angels  are  from  glory  come  ; 
They're  round  my  bed,  they're  in  my  room  ; 
They  wait  to  waft  my  spirit  home — 
All  is  well." 

Thus  he  passed  away,  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troub- 
ling, and  the  weary  are  at  rest. 


KBV.  WM.  C.  KENDALL,  A.  M, 


329 


With  the  following  letter  from  his  pen,  we  close  this 
hasty  sketch : 

"  Albion,  Feb'y  3d.  1855. 

"  Dear  Bed.  Phelps  : — I  was  glad-  to  hear  from  you, 
and  of  your  prosperity  in  the  '  narrow  way.'  I  rejoice 
with  Bro.  Tinkham  and  the  pilgrims  in  Taylorville  that 
salvation  descends  there.  That  man  of  God,  Dr.  Redfield, 
is  with  us.  We  have  had  a  hard  battle.  The  Doctor 
came  a  little  more  than  a  week  since.  His  shots  are  find- 
ing a  lodgment  in  the  hearts  of  the  King's  enemies.  He 
says  that  '  many  are  stuck  down  here  in  the  slough  of  "  / 
wont."  '  Our  official  members  are  our  greatest  hindrances. 
Entire  holiness  is  gloriously  prevailing  :  young  converts 
and  little  ones  are  pressing  into  the  possession  of  it,  and 
their  influence  is  being  felt. 

"  We  have  good  congregations — very  attentive.  Bro. 
Redfield  is  thought  much  of,  and  I  have  no  doubt  will  be 
the  means  of  great  good.  .  .  ,  The  pilgrims  are  hav- 
ing a '  fight  of  afflictions '  in  this  region,  such  as  they 
never  saw.  You  may  know  something  of  it  when  I  say 
that  I  have  received  five  letters  of  remonstrances  lately — 
i.  e.,  before  Bro.  R.  came.  They  have  called  us  publicly 
'  stumbling-blocks,'  and  frequently  '  fanatics.'  They  have 
said '  the  Devil  was  speaking  through  me  ; '  that  my  course 
was  '  unhallowed,'  '  unchristian,'  '  self  sufficient,'  '  impu- 
dent,' etc.  One  local  preacher  has  said  about  town,  of 
Dr.  R.,  'That  old  fanatic  /  he  don't  know  anything  about 
preaching.'  But  glory  to  God !  He  '  rules  the  whirlwind, 
and  directs  the  storm.'  ll  le,  breaking ;  and  at  the  same 
time  we  hear  talk  that  the  trustees  are  going  to  close  the 
hoiise  against  us.  We  have  no  fears.  It  is  one  of  the 
Devil's  scare-crows.  Such  times  were  never  before  in  Al- 
bion.   I  wish  you  were  here.    .    .  . 

"  Our  house  was  crammed  Sunday  night  from  top  to 
bottom ;  but  salvation  came.    Last  night,  also.    Two  lost 


330 


A  SKETCH  OP  THE  LIFE  OF 


their  strength — a  thing  never  before  known  in  Albion 
until  this  winter.  The  people  are  filled  with  wonder  and 
dismay.  Officials,  thus  far  for  the  Devil,  begin  to  cower. 
There  is  great  danger  that  Jesus  will  become  populai-.  Dr. 
R.  says  it  will  take  the  Devil  six  months  to  repair  the 
damages  done  his  kingdom  already.  '  My  voice  is  still  for 
war,'  is  his  watchword.  We  look  for  a  mighty  shaking. 
Glory  to  God  for  salvation  ! 

"  Your  pilgrim  brother, 

"  W.  C.  Kendall." 


CniLi,  Aug.  21st,  1857. 

"Deak  Bro.  Phelps:  .  .  .  Since  I  saw  you  I  have 
been  at  two  camp-meetings — on  Niagara  district,  and  at 
"Wyoming.  At  the  former,  the  doctrine  that  we  are  en- 
tirely sanctified  at  conversion  was  boldly  proclaimed.  Bro. 
Wm.  Cooley  requested  me  to  exhort  in  his  place,  and  set 
the  matter  right.  I  occupied  forty-five  minutes  in  trying 
to  do  so,  while  Regency  preachers  jirayed  God  to  have 
mercy  on  me.    I  felt  a  good  conscience  when  through. 

"  At  Wyoming  camp-meeting,  I  preached  on  the  same 
subject.  Bro.  Abell  arose,  as  soon  as  I  was  through,  and 
backed  what  I  had  said.  The  presiding  elder  and  two 
preachers  then  exhorted  against  me,  after  which  Bro.  Gor- 
ham,  of  the  Gruide,  stood  by  me  and  the  trutli  nobly,  for 
which  the  presiding  elder,  as  soon  as  the  service  closed, 
took  him  olf  into  the  woods.  Some  of  the  preachers  roar 
against  me  like  the  '  bulls  of  Bashan.'  I  know  not  but  that 
tliey  will  gore  me,  tear  the  ground,  or  something,  at  the 
Conference.  I  do  not  expect  to  remain  at  Chili.  I  go  to 
Conference,  not  knowing  what  will  befall  me  there  ;  nor 
do  I  trouble  myself  at  all.  Naught  can  harm  us  while  we 
abide  in  Christ. 

"  Your  militant  brother, 

"W.C.Kendall." 


REV.    WM.         KENDALL,   A.   M.  331 

"  West  Falls,  Nov.  5tli,  1857. 

"  Dkar  Bbo.  Phelps  :  .  .  .  You  speak  of  our  being 
scattered,  and  exhort  me  to  keep  up  courage.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  it  is  as  I  told  some  of  my  people  :  I  was  sent 
here  to  be  whipped  and  starved,  but  I  don't  expect  to  re 
ceive  either.  I  have  five  appointments,  and  preach  three 
times  each  Sabbath.  There  is  no  pastor  of  any  denomi- 
nation living  within  the  bounds  of  my  parish.  I  preach 
in  four  comfortable  meeting-houses — two  of  them  Meth- 
odist, one  Union  ;  the  fourth  is  owned  by  twelve  sinners. 
Abundance  of  work — scarcely  any  religion.  Onlj"^  one 
choir  to  bother.  No  revival  has  been  here  for  years.  My 
health  is  good — my  courage,  also. 

"We  have  just  had  our  first  quarterly  meeting — a  very 
good  season.  One  soul  soundly  converted — a  little  of 
the  first  fruits.  A  few  were  a  little  displeased  on  findi'ng 
the  door  closed,  they  being  late  to  love-feast.  The  love- 
feast  was  a  blessed  season.  Many  saw  the  benefit  of  the 
Methodist  rule.    .    .  . 

"  Your  brother  to  the  end  of  the  icar, 

"  W.  C.  Kendall." 


West  Falls,  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  16th,  1857. 
"  Dear  Bro.  Roberts  :  I  find  myself  on  my  new  field. 
Four  or  five  appointments — no  parsonage — one  prayer- 
meeting — some  fifty  or  sixty  members ;  and  they  have 
been  giving  their  preacher  some  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  dollars  to  live  upon.  The  starvation  system  is  in  full 
blast  in  my  case.  I  shall  have  a  good  yeai',  however,  if  I 
have  any  year.  One  appointment  is  within  ten  miles  of 
Buffalo ;  and  I  have  serious  thoughts  of  establishing  one 
within  the  heart  of  the  city  itself.  God  may  have  designed, 
by  my  appointment,  to  pour  out  a  vial  of  wrath  or  mercy 
on  the  scat  of  the  beast.  I  intend  to  watch  the  openings 
of  Providence,  and  enter  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 


332 


A  SKETCH  OP  THE  LIFE  OF 


"  I  think  of  you  often,  and  fear  lest  you  will  be  discour- 
aged in  view  of  the  state  of  things.  The  Regency  pressed 
you  hard  in  Le  Roy ;  but  it  was  not  you  they  were  after, 
but  the  blessed  Jesus.  I  never  realized  the  corrupt  state 
of  our  Conference  as  when  we  were  voting  on  your  case. 
Such  combination  to  crush  a  brother  I  did  not  suppose 
could  be  with  us.  As  you  said  on  the  Conference  floor, 
'  Some  of  us  will  die  hard.'  Don't  be  discouraged,  broth- 
er ;  we  have  not  suffered  much  yet.  As  you  said  to  me, 
on  the  night  of  your  sentence  and  execution,  '  It  is  an 
honor  to  he  denounced  by  those  men.''  Such  bribery  as 
they  practiced  is  a  disgrace  to  any  set  of  men  who  make 
no  pretense  to  religion.  But  I  must  stop,  or  my  head  will 
be  off  next. 

"  I  spent  the  Sabbath  after  Conference  in  Le  Roy.  Bro. 

 asked  me  to  preach,  after  consultation  with  A.  P.  R., 

and  to  preach  the  first  sermon.  I  had  a  very  good  time. 
The  Lord  blessed  me.  I  have  no  doubt  that  he  willed 
that  I  should  spend  that  day  in  Le  Roy.  McE.  invited 
Mrs.  K.  and  myself  home  to  dinner  with  him,  and  treated 
us  as  respectfully  as  he  knew  how.  Bro.  Shepard,  a  class- 
leader,  said  in  class  that  he  did  not  know  the  brother  who 
had  preached ;  but  if  that  was  Nazaritism,  he  was  a  Naz- 
arite.  R.  cautioned  the  people  to  '  beware  of  troublers.' 
Bro.  Colton  was  very  friendly.  Bro.  Anderson,  just  as 
McE.  was  about  to  pronounce  the  benediction,  cried  out, 
'  Bro.  Kendall  will  preach  in  the  Congregational  Church 
at  five  o'clock — the  Lord  will.'  The  house  was  well  filled, 
and  we  had  another  good  time,  and  followed  the  sermon 
with  a  sort  of  love-feast.-  The  N  s  are  becoming  pop- 
ular in  Le  Roy. 

"  I  expect  you,  Bro.  McC.  and  Bro^  Cooley  will  see  to 
the  pilgrims  in  that  northern  region.  Bro.  Colton  said, 
on  Monday  morning,  as  I  was  about  to  leave,  that  he 
thought  that  Bro.  Roberts  and  myself  ought  to  go  through 


EEV.   WM.   C.   KEXDALL,  A.   M.  333 

the  Conference  holding  meetings.  Indeed,  I  was  atmost 
persuaded,  as  th'ey  would  not  locate  me,  to  locate  myself, 
and  be  free  to  go  everywhere,  preaching  Jesus,  We  must 
circulate,  as  much  as  possible,  among  the  people.  God 
will  give  us  this  land  yet.  I  give  the  Regency  fair  warn- 
ing, the  Lord  helping,!  will  do  my  duty  to  them  this  year. 
My  address  is  as  above.    Write,  if  you  have  a  mind. 

"  Tours,  through  the  war, 

"  W.  C.  Kendall." 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


EET.  LOKEI^  STILES. 

BY  REV.  B.   T.  ROBEETS. 

Tropical  plants  do  not  thrive  in  northern  latitudes. 
Heavenly  virtues  find  on  earth  an  uncongenial  soil  and 
climate.  Unless  they  are  watched  with  care  and  tenderly 
nurtured,  they  droop  and  die.  It  is  a  difficult  task  to  get 
people  converted  to  God ;  it  is  still  more  difficult  to  keep 
them  converted.  The  natural  tendency  is,  to  mind  earth- 
ly things. 

The  seven  churches  of  Asia  were  planted  by  Apostolic 
hands.  They  were  thoroughly  instructed  in  the  sublime 
doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion.  Martyrs  and  confes- 
sors among  them  sealed  their  testimony  with  their  ovra 
blood.  Yet,  while  the  Apostle  John  was  yet  living,  they 
had  all,  both  churches  and  ministers,  with  a  single  excep- 
tion, backslidden  from  God.  It  has  been  so  with  churches 
ever  since.  No  matter  how  pure  they  were  at  first,  there 
has  been  a  gradual  decline  in  piety  from  generation  to 
generation.  Formality  supplants  spirituality,  as  weeds 
root  out  grain. 

Probably  no  church  ever  changed  more  in  its  general 
aspect,  in  the  same  length  of  time,  than  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  has  for  the  last  twenty-five  years.  Many 
think  the  changes  have  been  for  the  better  ;  others,  for  the 
worse.  All  must  admit  that  the  plainness,  simplicity,  and 
separation  from  the  world,  that  once  characterized  it,  are 
gone.  Some  have  resisted,  with  more  or  less  tenacity  of 
purpose,  the  change  that  has  been  going  on — believing 
that  it  involved  a  loss  of  spirituality,  and  endangered 
greatly  the  salvation  of  souls. 

334 


KEY.   LOREX  STILES. 


335 


Prominent  among  this  number  was  the  Rev.  Loren 
Stiles.  From  his  education,  his  tastes,  and  his  associations, 
it  would  naturally  have  been  expected  that  he  would  have 
found  his  position  among  the  most  genteel  and  fastidious 
of  the  i)opular  preachers  of  the  day.  But  underneath 
that  graceful  exterior  beat  an  honest  heart.  He  did  not 
worship  at  the  shrine  of  expediency.  He  had  the  moral 
courage  to  follow  his  convictions.  With  him,  the  will  of 
God,  as  he  understood  it,  was  supreme.  If  there  was  an 
apparent  conflict  between  duty  and  interest,  he  never  hes- 
itated to  discharge  his  duty,  however  great  might  be  the 
sacrifice  involved. 

He  had  the  natural  gifts  of  an  orator,  and  in  any  popu- 
lar cause  he  would  have  gained  a  wide  and  high  distinc- 
tion. In  stature  he  was  above  the  medium  height,  and 
rather  slim  and  spare  in  build,  and  active  and  easy  in  all 
his  motions.  A  finely-formed  forehead  set  off  an  intellect- 
ual-looking face  to  advantage.  His  voice  was  clear  and 
musical,  and  could  be  heard  distinctly  by  thousands.  His 
sermons  were  well  studied,  able,  convincing,  eloquent,  and 
at  times  overpowering.  We  heard  him  preach  some  eight- 
een years  ago,  on  the  Hamburg  camp-ground,  a  sermon  on 
"  What  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world 
and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  "  which  seemed  to  carry  all  before 
it.  The  large  congregation  was  spell-bound,  and  many 
penitents  made  their  way  at  once  to  the  altar,  crying  to 
God  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

Our  acquaintance  with  Loren  Stiles  commenced  at  Lima 
in  1845,  when  we  were  both  students  at  the  Seminary. — 
He  stood  well  in  his  classes,  and  even  then  was  distin- 
guished for  his  abilities  as  a  speaker.  He  professed,  en- 
joyed, and  lived  religion.  We  shall  never  forget  a  season 
of  prayer  we  had  together,  that  summer,  by  the  side  of  a 
large  log  in  the  woods.  We  had  both  intended  to  prose- 
cute our  studies  farther  than  through  the  academic  course  ; 


336 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OP 


but  seeing  the  formality  of  the  Seminary  professors,  we 
■were  afraid  to  go  farther,  for  fear  that  we  should  lose  our 
first  love  and  become  cold  and  formal.  We  felt  that  learn- 
ing was  good,  but  salvation  was  better.  We  wept  and 
prayed  before  the  Lord.  We  consecrated  ourselves  anew 
to  Him,  to  be  his  for  time  and  eternity.  The  Holy  Spirit 
came  down,  and  Divine  assurance  was  given  that  God 
would  keep  us  while  we  honestly  sought  to  be  better  qual- 
ified for  usefulness  in  His  service.  He  left  Lima  with  its 
highest  honors,  and  went  to  the  Methodist  Theological 
Seminary  at  Concord,  New  Hampshire.  A  few  years  later, 
we  met,  as  members  of  the  Genesee  Conference  of  the  M. 
E.  Church. 

In  the  meantime,  troubles  had  sprung  up  in  the  Confer 
ence.  The  Rev.  Asa  Abell,  then  presiding  elder  of  the 
Genesee  district,  held  a  camp-meeting  near  Byron,  Genesee 
county,  N.  Y.  He  was  assisted  by  Fay  H.  Purdy,  whose 
labors  as  an  evangelist  were  attended  with  remarkable 
Buccess.  A  revival  of  God's  work  broke  out  in  power. 
Many  of  the  old  preachers  who  had  become  almost  dis 
couraged  in  standing  up  for  old-fashioned  Methodism,  were 
greatly  strengthened.  Others  of  the  preachers  and  people 
received  the  blessing  of  holiness,  with  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

On  the  other  hand,  a  few  of  the  members  of  the  Con 
ference  had  united  with  secret  societies.  The  murder  ot 
Morgan  was  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  people,  and  they 
looked  with  jealousy  upon  all  associations  of  a  character 
similar  to  that  which  was  stained  with  the  blood  of  the 
murdered  man.  At  the  session  of  the  Conference  at  which 
we  joined,  an  able  pamphlet,  written  by  Rev.  C.  D,  Bur- 
lingham,  against  ministers  uniting  with  secret  societies — 
especially  with  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Masons — was  circu- 
lated by  Rev.  Eleazer  Thomas.  A  great  excitement  fol- 
lowed.   A  prominent  member  of  the  Conferenc« — now 


EBV.  LOEEN  STILES. 


337 


filling  one  of  the  highest  offices  of  the  M.  E,  Church — 
declared  with  emphasis  that  "  he  would  leave  the  Church 
before  he  would  the  Lodge."  A  compromise  was  effected, 
which,  by  deferring  the  crisis,  made  the  mischief  greater. 
A  resolution  was  passed,  to  the  effect  that  the  whole  sub- 
ject should  be  dropped,  and  nothing  should  be  done  cal- 
culated to  produce  agitation.  Each  party  construed  this 
according  to  their  preferences.  Those,  however,  who  be- 
longed to  secret  societies,  kept  up  their  associations  with 
them,  and  influenced  all  to  join  they  could. 

In  many  parts  of  the  Conference,  the  work  of  God  went 
on  in  power.  The  camp-meetings,  especially,  were  seasons 
of  wonderful  manifestations  of  the  Divine  presence.  The 
members  generally  who  attended  these  meetings,  conse- 
crated themselves  more  fully  to  God,  and  went  home  to 
live  according  to  their  vows  as  Christians  and  as  Method- 
ists. Olean  and  Genesee  districts  were  especially  favored 
with  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit.  The  secret-society 
men  and  formalists  were  alarmed.  They  Avere  at  home  in 
foi-mal  churches,  and  in  superficial  revivals ;  but  they 
could  do  nothing  with  the  thorough  work  of  God.  Where 
that  broke  out  they  were  not  wanted ;  and  many  of  the 
best  appointments  of  the  Conference  insisted  upon  having 
live  preachers — men  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  work  of  God  was  called  fanaticism  by  the  formal 
preachers,  and  it  was  resolved  to  put  it  down.  The  first 
step  was,  to  get  control  of  the  districts.  Dr.  Luckey  was 
taken  from  the  East  Genesee  Conference,  and  made  presi- 
ding elder  of  the  Genesee  district.  But  he  at  once  fell 
in  with  the  work,  pronounced  it  old-fashioned  Methodism, 
and  did  all  in  his  power  to  promote  it.  He  was  not  al- 
lowed to  remain.  Mr.  Stiles  was  a  young  preacher,  of 
good  address,  and  he  had  hitherto  been  in  those  parts  of 
the  Conference  comparatively  free  from  religious  excite- 
ment. He  was  appointed  to  the  district,  doubtless  with 
15 


338 


A  SKETCH  OF  THK  LIFE  OP 


the  expectation  that  he  would  take  sides  against  the  -work 
going  on,  and  yet,  by  his  eloquence  and  suavity  of  man- 
ners, carry  the  people  with  him.  Never  were  hopes  more 
signally  disappointed.  Though,  from  exaggerated  and 
false  reports,  which  were  freely  circulated,  he  was  preju- 
diced against  the  work  in  advance;  yet,  as  soon  as  he 
came  in  contact  with  it,  he  recognized  it  as  the  work  of 
God,  and  under  his  administration  the  work  went  on  more 
vigorously  than  ever.  He  was  greatly  blessed  in  his  own 
soul,  and  encouraged  the  people  to  seek  all  the  grace  that 
was  promised  them  in  the  Gospel. 

Those  who  had  hoped  for  different  results  were  indig- 
nant. At  the  next  session  of  the  Conference,  they  brought 
charges  against  him  of  mal-administration.  They  were 
prosecuted  with  vigor.  We  undertook  his  defense ;  and 
so  exasperated  were  the  opposing  counsel,  that  one  of  them 
took  hold  of  us,  to  put  us  down  by  force.  The  party  drill 
was  not  perfect,  and  he  was  acquitted.  But  a  secret  con- 
spiracy was  more  successful.  About  thirty  of  the  preach- 
ers conspired  together  not  to  take  work  unless  Messrs. 
Stiles  and  Kingsley — who  both  favored  the  work  of  God 
going  on  in  the  Church — were  removed  from  the  cabinet. 
Feeling  assured  that  they  would  be  removed,  they  asked 
to  be  transferred  to  the  Cincinnati  Conference ;  and  their 
request,  thus  made  under  pressure,  was  granted.  Mr.  Stilei 
was  stationed  by  the  bishop  at  Union  Chapel,  Cincinnati, 
where  he  labored  successfully  for  one  year.  At  the  next 
eession  of  the  Conference,  he  was,  by  the  request  of  a  large 
number  of  people,  re-transferred  and  stationed  at  Albion. 

At  the  same  session,  we  were  tried  on  a  cliarge  of  "  Im- 
moral conduct,"  for  writing  an  article  entitled  "  New- 
School  Methodism."  We  stated  publicly  that  we  would 
correct  the  representations  we  had  made,  if  the  parties 
concerned  would  say  they  were  not  true.  We  showed 
that  the  article  did  not  contain  the  sentiments  charged  ; 


REV.  LOKEN  STILES. 


339 


but  a  majority  of  the  Conference  had  committed  them- 
selves in  a  secret  meeting  to  our  condemnation,  and  we 
were  condemned  accordingly,  and  sentenced  to  be  repri- 
manded by  the  bishop.  After  this,  a  friend  of  ours  issued 
the  article  in  a  tract  form,  and  gave  a  short  account  of  the 
trial  and  published  it  over  his  own  signature.  The  presi- 
ding elder.  Rev.  A.  D.  Wilbor,  asked  this  friend — George 
W.  Estes — if  he  wrote  the  tract.  He  replied,  he  did. — 
The  presiding  elder,  without  hesitation,  gave  him  license 
to  preach.  At  the  next  Conference  we  were  tried  for 
"  contumacy,"  for  publishing  and  circulating  this  very  tract. 
We  proved  by  Mr.  Estes  that  we  had  nothing  to  do  what- 
ever with  publishing  this  tract.  One  witness  only  testified 
that  we  handed  him  a  package,  and  his  testimony  was  im- 
peached. On  this  charge  and  testimony,  we  were  expelled 
from  the  Conference  and  the  Church — the  presiding  elder 
that  licensed  the  author  of  the  tract  voting  for  our  expul- 
sion. 

Mr.  Stiles  acted  as  our  counsel,  and  made  a  bold  and 
masterly  plea.  For  this  he  was  told,  in  language  inelegant 
but  expressive,  that  "  his  head  must  come  off  next."  Mr, 
Stiles  went  back  to  Albion,  where  he  labored  with  accep- 
tability and  success.  We  joined  on  probation  at  Pekin, 
where  we  had  last  labored,  and  were,  by  a  unanimous  vote 
of  the  society,  licensed  to  exhort.  In  the  course  of  the 
year,  we  attended  a  meeting  at  Mr.  Stiles'  church,  and  af- 
ter Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preached,  we  exhorted. 

About  nine  miles  east  fi-om  Albion,  on  the  railroad  from 
Niagara  Falls,  is  the  village  of  Holley.  It  contains  a 
Presbyterian  and  a  Baptist  Church,  but  the  Methodists 
never  have  succeeded  in  getting  a  foothold  there.  There 
are,  or  were,  two  or  three  Methodist  families  who  held 
their  membership  on  the  adjoining  circuit.  Mr.  Stiles, 
while  stationed  at  Albion,  preached  regularly  in  this  place 
on  a  week-day  evening,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Theare 


340 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF 


was  no  Methodist  meeting  at  that  time  that  his  appoint- 
ment could  affect,  in  the  remotest  degree.  The  nearest 
Methodist  appointment  ai  any  time  was  three  miles  dista?it, 
and  that  on  the  Sabbath.  The  circuit  preacher,  however, 
regarded  Mr.  Stiles'  appointment  as  an  invasion  of  hia 
parish.  He  procured  an  order  from  the  presiding  elder, 
E.ev.  A.  D.  Wilbor,  forbidding  Mr.  Stiles  to  preach  in 
Holley  without  his  consent.  To  this  prohibition,  Mr.  Stiles, 
very  properly,  paid  not  the  slightest  I'espect.  The  Disci- 
pline no  where  gives  a  presiding  elder  any  authority  to 
issue  any  such  command. 

At  the  next  Conference,  Mr.  Stiles  was  brought  to  trial. 
He  was  charged  with  "  contumacy,"  for  allowing  us  to 
exhort  in  his  Church,  and  for  preaching  on  another  man's 
circuit  without  his  consent.  He  made  an  able  and  manly 
defense  ;  but  all  was  of  no  avail.  Jle  was  expelled  from 
the  Conference  and  the  Church. 

That  a  spotless,  devoted,  able  minister  of  Jesus  Christ, 
could  be  treated  in  this  manner  in  this  age  of  the  world, 
by  men  professing  godliness,  seems  incredible.  It  is  also 
surprising  that  such  outrages  upon  the  dearest  rights  of 
man  could  be  perpetrated  in  this  country,  and  so  little 
notice  be  taken  of  them  by  the  periodicals  of  the  day. 
The  Rev.  Wm.  Hosmer,  in  his  able  and  fearless  paper,  the 
Northern  Independent,  spoke  out  clearly,  and  with  just 
indignation,  against  such  unmitigated  wickedness.  But 
the  other  Methodist  papers  were  silent.  How  different 
the  course  taken  by  these  papers  in  the  recent  case  of  Ste- 
phen H.  Tyng !  And  yet  the  treatment  of  Mr.  Stiles  in- 
volved by  far  the  greater  perversion  of  justice.  Mr.  Tyng 
went  in  the  vicinity  of  a  church  of  his  own  denomination. 
Mr.  Stiles  preached  three  miles  away  from  the  nearest 
Methodist  Church.  Mr.  Tyng  violated  an  explicit  canon 
of  his  church.  Mr.  Stiles  transgressed  no  rule  of  his  de- 
nomination, but  obeyed  one  that  explicitly  enjoined  him 


RET.  LOEEN  STTLES. 


341 


to  do  just  as  he  did.  It  reads  as  follows  :  "  You  have 
nothing  to  do  but  to  save  souls  ;  therefore,  spend  and  be 
spent  in  this  work ;  and  go  always  not  only  to  those  that 
want  you,  but  to  those  that  want  you  most.  Observe !  it 
is  not  your  business  only  to  preach  so  many  times,  and  to 
take  care  of  this  or  that  society ;  but  to  save  as  many  as 
you  can ;  to  bring  as  many  sinners  as  you  can  to  repent- 
ance, and  with  all  your  power  to  build  them  iip  in  that 
holiness  without  which  they  cannot  see  the  Lord."  Mn 
Stiles'  offense  consisted  in  his  conscientious  observance  of 
this,  the  eleventh  rule  of  a  preacher's  conduct,  as  prescribed 
by  the  Discipline,  by  which  he  had  promised  to  be  gov- 
erned. Mr.  Tyng  was  reproved  by  the  bishop, — Mr.  Stiles 
was  excommunicated  from  the  Church  !  If  the  Episcopal 
Church  chastised  with  whips,  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  chastised  with  scorpions. 

We  see  that  the  General  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
at  its  late  session,  repealed  the  censure  which,  thirty-two 
years  ago,  it  passed  upon  one  of  its  most  devoted  and  per- 
secuted ministers,  for  "  lecturing  upon  and  in  favor  of 
modern  abolitionism."  We  trust  that  they  were  influenced 
by  a  sense  of  justice,  and  not  by  the  fact  that  "  modern 
abolitionism  "  has  triumphed,  notwithstanding  the  General 
Conference  of  1836  pledged  itself  "  to  use  all  prudent 
means  to  put  it  down,"  and  almost  unanimously  resolved 
"  That  they  are  decidedly  opposed  to  modern  abolitionism, 
and  wholly  disclaim  any  right,  wish  or  intention  to  inter- 
fere in  the  civil  and  political  relation  between  master  and 
slave,  as  it  exists  in  the  slaveholding  States  of  this  Union." 
If  the  love  of  righteousness  is  the  motive,  let  the  prece- 
dent be  followed,  and  the  vote  be  repealed  by  which  Mr. 
Stiles  was  expelled  from  the  Conference  and  the  Church. 

The  expulsion  of  Mr.  Stiles  was  followed  by  the  with- 
drawal of  nearly  all  its  spiritual  members  from  the  M.  E. 
Church  at  Albion.    They  at  once  organized  under  the  con- 


342 


A  SKETCH  OP  THE  LIFE  OF 


gregational  form  of  government,  and  chose  him  for  their 
pastor.  He  proceeded  to  the  erection  of  a  large  and  com- 
modious house  of  worship.  It  wa*s  dedicated  in  June, 
1860 — Rev.  E.  Bowen,  D.  D.,  of  the  Oneida  Conference  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  preaching  on  the  occasion  from  I  Cor.  vi. 
20,  to  a  congregation,  it  was  estimated,  of  one  thousand 
three  hundred  persons.  Rev.  B.  I.  Ives  preached  a  pow- 
erful sermon  in  the  evening  from  the  words,  "  We  will  go 
with  you,  for  we  have  heard  that  God  is  with  you." 

On  the  23d  of  August,  1860,  a  convention  of  fifteen 
preachers  and  about  eighty  laymen  was  held  at  Pekin, 
Niagara  county,  N.  Y.  A  Discipline  was  adopted,  and 
the  Free  Methodist  Church  was  organized  as  a  connectional 
body.  Mr.  Stiles  took  part  in  the  convention,  and  he  and 
his  people  came  into  the  new  organization.  In  it  he  la- 
bored with  great  efficiency  until  his  death. 

Some  of  the  preachers  and  members  who  had  hitherto 
sympathized  with  those  who  had  been  expelled,  opposed 
strongly  the  new  organization.  They  held  meetings  by 
themselves,  and  went  on  in  an  irresponsible,  lawless  man- 
ner. In  opposition  to  the  Free  Methodists,  they  called 
themselves  Nazarites.  Some  of  the  leading  ones  belonged 
to  the  M.  E.  Church ;  others  wished  to  maintain  as  near  a 
relation  to  it  as  they  could;  all  united  in  denouncing  ve- 
hemently the  formation  of  the  new  Church.  Still,  they 
professed  more  religion  than  ever.  When  men  are  deter- 
mined upon  being  blessed,  but  will  not  obey  God,  the 
devil  will  give  them  an  elation  of  soul  that  readily  passes 
with  many  for  a  manifestation  of  the  presence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  The  counterfeit  so  closely  resembles  the  genuine, 
that  experienced  believers  are  often  deceived.  These  per- 
sons referred  to  went  on  from  one  thing  to  another,  until 
they  plunged  into  wild  excesses  and  extravagances.  Many 
of  the  people  of  God  were  alarmed,  and  became  afraid  of 
the  real  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    Mr.  Stiles  was 


EEV.  LOBEN  STTLES. 


943 


keenly  alive  to  the  reproach  which  these  excesses  brought 
upon  the  cause  of  God.  He  took  a  decided  stand  against 
them  ;  and  if,  in  his  zeal,  he  sometimes  went  too  far,  it  was 
no  more  than  was  to  be  naturally  looked  for  under  the  cir- 
cumstances. Even  John  Wesley,  with  his  deep  experience, 
was  led  into  a  similar  error.  He  says,  "  We  acknowledged 
our  having  grieved  the  Spirit  by  blaspheming  his  work 
among  us — imputing  it  either  to  nature,  to  the  force  of 
imagination  and  animal  spirits,  or  even  to  the  delusion  of 
the  devil."  Mr.  Stiles  was  equally  frank  in  confessing  the 
mistake  he  had  made  in  treating  some  as  fanatical  who 
were  really  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God.  He  would  not, 
knowingly,  discourage  the  weakest  of  God's  children ; 
but  he  was  solicitous,  in  the  extreme,  that  the  work  of  God 
should  be  kept  pure,  and  that  there  should  be  no  comming- 
ling of  strange  fire  with  the  true. 

His  love  for  souls  was  intense,  and  the  ardor  with  which 
he  labored  for  their  salvation  was  too  great  for  his  physical 
strength.  He  fell  a  martyr  to  his  work.  Worn  out  by 
labor  and  care,  he  was  attacked  by  the  fatal  typhoid  fever, 
and  after  hovering  a  few  days  between  time  and  eternity, 
his  happy  spirit  took  its  upward  flight  to  the  Paradise  of 
God.  Much  of  the  time  during  his  sickness  he  was  delir- 
ious; but  even  then  his  mind  dwelt  on  Divine  things. — 
"  Bring  me,"  he  cried  out,  "  some  cold  water  from  the  well. 
I  want  to  contrast  it  with  the  water  of  life  which  I  shall 
soon  drink."  When  rational,  he  felt  a  complete  triumph 
over  death.  He  said  to  us,  when  watching  with  him  a 
short  time  before  he  left  us,  "  The  Lord  has  greatly  blessed 
me,  and  I  shall  go  straight  to  glory."  He  gradually  grew 
weaker,  until,  on  Thursday  evening,  the  7th  of  May,  18C8, 
he  passed  over  the  Jordan  of  death  without  a  struggle  or 
a  groan.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  an  immense  con- 
gregation— the  large  Free  Church  being  crowded  to  its 
utmost,  and  hundreds  standing  upon  the  outside.  The 


344 


REV.  LOEEN  STILES, 


Rev.  Wm.  Hosmer  preached  an  excellent  sermon  from  the 
appropriate  words,  "  For  he  endured  as  seeing  Him  that 
is  invisible." 

We  feel  sad,  and  at  times  almost  discouraged,  as  we 
think  of  the  many  able,  faithful  preachers  with  whom  we 
once  labored,  whom  God  has  taken  away  in  their  prime, 
leaving  the  field  to  be  cultivated  by  us  feebler  ones.  But 
God's  ways  are  inscrutable.  It  is  only  for  those  who  re- 
main, to  work  while  we  may,  remembering  that  time  is 
short  Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  steadfast 
and  unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the 
Lord. 


A  EHraiKG  SKIETCH. 


BY  KEY.  B.   T.  ROBERTS. 

I  HATE  nothing  good  to  say  of  myself.  But  the  praise 
of  God  shall  be  continually  in  my  mouth.  What  do  I 
not  owe  to  Divine  grace  ?  I  am  a  debtor  to  the  boundless 
mercy  of  God  to  a  degree  that  can  never  be  expressed. 
My  inclinations  by  nature  are  to  evil.  My  eai-ly  associ- 
ates, many  of  them,  went  to  ruin.  But  God's  Spirit,  from 
my  earliest  recollections,  strove  with  me  and  restrained 
me.  I  never  drank  wine  but  once,  and  that  was  at  a  New 
Year's  call.  Tobacco  I  never  used,  and  profanity  I  ab- 
horred.   It  was  all  of  grace. 

A  Presbyterian  minister  came  to  me  one  day,  when  a 
boy,  and  invited  me  to  go  to  Sabbath  School.  I  went.  I 
committed  many  chapters  of  the  Bible  to  memory.  Atone 
lesson  I  recited  the  whole  of  the  epistle  of  James.  Years 
after,  I  studied  law.  Many  of  my  associates  openly  re- 
jected the  Bible ;  but  my  knowledge  of  its  contents  not 
only  kept  me  from  infidelity,  but  enabled  me  to  expose 
and  refute  their  sophistical  objections.  Yet  I  was  far  from 
being  a  Christian.  I  was  ambitious,  proud  and  worldly. 
At  times  I  was  powerfully  convicted  ;  but  I  thought  it 
was  the  part  of  manliness  to  resist  as  long  as  possible. — 
Conviction  left  me,  and  my  heart  became  hard. 

At  length  it  pleased  God  to  answer  the  prayer  of  ray 
.".lends  in  my  behalf.  He  awakened  me  to  a  sense  of  my 
lost  condition.  The  instrumentality  was  very  humble.  A 
pious,  illiterate  cooper — a  very  bad  stammerer — gave  in 
his  testimony  at  a  regular  Sabbath  afternoon  prayer-meet- 
ing. I  was  there  by  invitation  of  friends,  and  his  testi- 
15*  345 


346 


A  EUNNING  SKETCH. 


mony  found  way  to  my  heart.  There  was  no  special  re- 
ligious interest,  but  I  felt  it  was  my  duty  to  become  a 
Christian.  I  commenced  to  pray.  It  was  hard  work,  but 
God  encouraged  me  to  persevere.  As  the  light  of  the 
Spirit  shone,  I  gave  up  one  thing  and  another ;  but  I 
clung  to  my  profession.  For  three  weeks  or  more,  I  plead 
with  the  Lord  to  convert  me  ;  but  to  let  me  have  my  choice 
in  the  business  I  would  follow.  Many  who  had  power 
with  God  prayed  for  me  ;  but  I  had  to  yield,  Christ  de- 
manded an  unconditional  surrender.  I  made  it.  The  joys 
of  pardon  and  peace  flowed  into  my  soul.  My  cup  was 
full — my  happiness  was  unspeakable. 

The  study  of  law  was  abandoned.  I  completed  the  col- 
lege course  at  Middletown,  Conn.,  in  1848,  receiving  one 
of  the  honors  of  the  class.  The  same  fall  I  joined  the 
Genesee  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  was  sta- 
tioned at  Caryville.  The  society  was  weak,  and  the  church 
edifice  small.  By  the  blessing  of  God,  there  was  a  good 
accession  to  the  church,  and  the  house  of  worship  was 
enlarged.  In  May  of  the  next  year,  I  was  married  to  Miss 
Ellen  L.  Stow,  of  New  York.  At  the  close  of  the  year, 
we  were  stationed  at  Pike,  Wyoming  county,  N.  Y.  Here 
we  labored  two  years,  and  God  gave  us  a  precious  revival. 
A  camp-meeting  held  at  Collins,  in  the  year  1849,  was 
made  a  great  blessing  to  my  soul.  The  subject  of  holi- 
ness received  special  attention.  Rev.  Eleazar  Thomas,  pre- 
siding elder  of  the  district,  was  then  a  flame  of  fire.  Mrs. 
Palmer  attended  the  meeting,  and  labored  for  the  promo- 
tion of  holiness  with  great  zeal  and  success.  While  I  was 
at  Middletown,  Dr.  Redfield  held  a  protracted  meeting  in 
the  Methodist  church.  Such  scenes  of  spiritual  power  I 
never  had  witnessed.  The  convictions  I  there  received 
never  left  me.  At  the  camp-meeting  they  were  greatly 
increased.  Two  paths  were  distinctly  marked  out  before 
me.    I  saw  that  I  might  be  a  popular  preacher,  gain  ap- 


BHV.  B.  T.  ROBEKTS. 


34^ 


plause,  do  but  little  good  in  reality,  and  at  last  lose  my 
Boul.  Or  I  saw  that  I  might  take  the  narrow  way,  declare 
the  whole  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  meet  with  persecution 
and  opposition,  but  see  a  thorough  work  of  grace  go  on, 
and  gain  Heaven.  Grace  was  given  to  make  the  better 
choice.  I  deliberately  gave  myself  anew  to  the  Lord,  to 
declare  the  whole  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  to  take  the 
narrow  way.  The  blessing  came.  The  Spirit  fell  upon 
me  in  an  overwhelming  degree.  I  received  a  power  to  la- 
bor such  as  I  had  never  possessed  before.  This  consecra- 
tion has  never  been  taken  back.  I  have  many  times  had 
to  humble  myself  before  the  Lord  for  having  grieved  his 
Spirit.  I  have  been  but  an  unprofitable  servant.  It  is  by 
grace  alone  that  I  am  saved.  Yet  the  determination  ia 
fixed,  to  obey  the  Lord  and  take  the  narrow  way,  come 
what  will. 

Our  next  appointment  was  Rushford,  N.  Y.  The  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  was  with  us  all  the  year,  and  good  was  done. 
The  next  year  we  were  stationed  at  Niagara  street,  Buffa- 
lo. We  found  the  congregation  run  down,  the  state  of 
spirituality  low,  and  the  people  greatly  discouraged.  The 
temptation  to  lower  the  standard  was  strong ;  but  God 
kept  us  from  compromising.  Dr.  Redfield  was  with  us 
several  weeks,  and  held  a  protracted  meeting.  A  great 
interest  in  the  community  was  excited  ;  but  we  met  with 
unexpected  opposition  from  ministers  occupying  a  high 
official  position  in  the  Church,  and  the  progress  of  the  re- 
vival was  stayed. 

While  here,  my  attention  was  drawn  to  the  evils  of  the 
pew  system.  I  saw  that  the  house  of  God  must  bb  fekk 
for  all  who  choose  to  attend,  if  the  masses  would  be  reached 
and  saved.  I  began  to  write  and  preach  upon  the  subject. 
The  Niagara  street  Church  was  in  debt;  and  I  offered  to 
Bee  the  debt  paid  off  if  they  would  make  the  house  free. 
The  offer  was  declined.    Thousands  of  dollars  were  after- 


348 


A  RUNNING  SKETCH. 


wards  expended  in  rebuilding  and  beautifying  it ;  all  the 
modern  expedients  for  raising  money — such  as  re-selling 
the  pews,  holding  fairs  and  festivals,  and  giving  popular 
lectures — were  resorted  to  in  order  to  pay  off  the  indebt- 
edness. But  all  these  efforts  were  unavailing — the  church 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  enemies  of  Jesus,  and  is  now 
owned  and  occupied  as  a  place  of  worship  by  the  lineal 
and  religious  descendants  of  those  who  put  the  blessed 
Saviour  to  death.    It  has  become  a  Jewish  tabernacle. 

From  Buffalo  we  were  appointed  to  labor  in  Brockport. 
The  Lord  favored  us  here  with  a  thorough  and  extensive 
revival.  Many  precious  souls  were  brought  into  the  en- 
joyment of  the  justifying  and  sanctifying  grace  of  God. 
At  the  close  of  two  years  we  went  to  Albion.  We  fol- 
lowed that  man  of  God,  Wm.  C.  Kendall,  under  whose 
labors  there  had  been  a  most  powerful  revival.  "We  en- 
tered into  his  labors,  and  the  church  enjoyed  a  good  de- 
gree of  prosperity.  While  at  Albion,  I  wrote  an  article 
for  the  Northern  Independent,  entitled  "  New-School  Meth- 
odism." There  was  already  a  strongly-marked  division 
among  the  preachers  of  the  Conference :  some  of  them 
being  committed  to  the  doctrines  of  holiness  and  the  "  old 
paths  "  of  spiritual  religion  generally,  and  others  sympa- 
thizing Avith  the  more  popular  forms  of  worship — the 
leading  ones  of  the  latter  class  belonging  generally  to  the 
Masons  or  Odd-Fellows.  Ministers  belonging  to  the  lat- 
ter class  had  published  what  we  considered  very  unkind 
and  unjust  things  against  us.  To  correct  the  impressions 
tliey  were  making,  I  published  in  the  Northern  Independ- 
ent the  article  referred  to.  I  endeavored  to  write  with 
the  utmost  fairness,  I  have  looked  over  the  article  since 
with  all  the  impartiality  I  could  command,  and  can  see  in 
it  nothing  to  condemn.  One  of  the  bitterest  opposers  we 
have  ever  Jiad,  said,  "  Your  article  is  written  in  as  mild 
and  candid  a  tone  as  sucli  facts  can  be  stated  in."    A  bill 


KET.   B.   T.  ROBERTS. 


349 


of  charges  -was  brought  against  rae  for  wrinng  that  arti- 
cle. I  will  not  enter  into  details;  but  I  was  voted  guilty 
of  "  Immoral  and  unchristian  conduct,"  for  writing  that 
article.  Sentence — "  Reproof  by  the  Cliair."  I  received 
the  reproof,  and  was  sent  to  Pekin.  The  Lord  again  fa- 
vored us  with  a  gracious  revival.  The  work  of  God  went 
on  the  entire  year.  The  action  of  the  Conference  did  not 
appear  to  cripple  my  influence.  At  the  next  session  of 
the  Conference,  I  was  ciiarged  with  "  contumacy  "  in  pub- 
lishing a  second  edition  of"  Xew-School  Methodism."  On 
the  trial,  it  appeared  that  I  had  no  part  in  getting  out  the 
second  edition  ;  and  had  no  knowledge  that  its  publication 
was  intended.  One  preacher  testified  that  I  handed  him 
a  package.  On  this  charge  and  testimony  I  was  turned 
out  of  the  Church.  Six  other  preachers  were  subsequent- 
ly excluded  from  the  Church  on  frivolous  pretexts.  "We 
appealed  to  the  General  Conference.  Our  appeals,  with 
one  exception,  were  disregarded.  The  General  Conference 
refused  to  investigate  these  matters. 

Here  was  a  trial  such  as  I  had  never  anticipated.  But 
Jesus  did  not  forsake  me.  I  never  felt  his  girding  power 
as  on  that  occasion.  Satan  told  me  I  would  have  nothing 
to  do.  But  his  suggestions  have  all  proved  false.  I  have 
been  most  sorely  assailM — it  seemed  as  if  hell  would 
overpower  me  at  times  ;  but  Jesus  has  proved  victorious. 
Bless  His  name  !  In  Him  will  I  trust,  and  He  has  prom- 
ised to  keep  me  to  the  end. 

The  experiences  through  which  I  have  passed,  have  had 
a  good  eflect  in  many  ways.  They  have  cured  me  of  sec- 
tarian bigotry.  I  have  lost  my  denominational  zeal.  I 
feel  a  deep  sympathy  witli  every  enterprise  that  has  a 
tendency  to  promote  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  its  purity. 

I  have  learned  to  rely  more  fully  on  God.  He  does  not 
appear  to  me  as  a  Being  afar  off— who  anciently  felt  an 
interest  in  those  who  endeavored  to  serve  Him,  but  who 


850 


A  RUNNING  SKETCH. 


now  makes  less  marked  interpositions  in  behalf  of  His  chil- 
dren. He  is  to  me  the  Ever-present,  Living  God.  To 
Him  I  go  with  confidence,  with  all  my  wants,  and  all  my 
complaints.  I  endeavor  to  do  my  duty,  and  then  leave 
the  disposal  of  events  with  my  Heavenly  Father.  I  have 
learned,  from  the  things  which  I  have  suftered,  to  be  ex- 
tremely cautious  in  givino-  countenance  to  any  measures 
that  bear  oppressively  upon  any  individual.  The  exercise 
of  Church  Discipline  sometimes  becomes  necessary  ;  but 
it  ought  to  be  the  last  resort.  We  should  feel  a  deep  sym- 
pathy with  all — even  the  erring. 

To-day  my  soul  is  happy  in  God.  He  is  leading  m«  tty 
His  Spirit.  I  know  but  little,  comparatively,  of  saving 
grace;  but  I  am  pressing  on.  I  have  commenced  anew  to 
seek  the  Lord,  and  my  business  shall  be  to  seek  for  Him 
the  rest  of  my  days,  as  earnestly  as  the  covetous  man 
seeks  for  gold.  In  Ilini  is  fulhiess  of  joy.  I  heed  not  la- 
bors and  trials,  if  I  may  only  liave  a  consciousness  of  the 
presence  and  approbation  of  my  Heavenly  Father.  He 
gives  me  plenty  of  work,  and  helps  me  in  doing  it.  My 
special  mission  is  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor.  I  be- 
lieve that  churches  should  be  as  free  as  the  grace  we  preach. 
The  Lord  allowed  me  to  be  thrust  out  as  I  was,  because 
He  saw  that  in  this  manner  this*work  could  be  carried  on 
to  the  best  advantage.  Tlie  work  is  progressing,  and  I 
expect  to  live  to  see  free  churches  all  over  the  land — es- 
pecially in  cities,  where  the  poor  are  congregated.  This 
is  a  blessed  work  !  I  know  that  I  am  at  my  Master's  bus- 
iness.   He  has  compassion  upon  me.    Like  as  a  fatiikk 

PITIETH  HIS    CHILDREN,  SO    THE    LoRD  PITIETH  TUEM  THAT 

TRUST  IN  Him:  for  He  knowbth  our  frame:   He  rk- 

MEMBERETH  THAT  WE  ARE  DUST. 


DATE  DUE 


_  j^er  3  1  71 

^  

\ 

GAYLORD 

